Preserving Multicultural Society: A Comparative Analysis of Sociology-Humanities School Textbooks in Indonesia and Thailand
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Abstract
This study investigates how multiculturalism is represented in senior high school social science textbooks in Indonesia and Thailand. Using qualitative content analysis, the researchers examined officially published textbooks to identify how themes of diversity, equality, and social cohesion are integrated into educational materials. To enhance contextual clarity, the study also examines curriculum development and textbook publication timelines in both countries, linking the analyzed textbooks to specific periods of educational reform and multicultural policy frameworks. The analysis revealed three key themes: 1) recognition of societal differences, 3) promotion of equality and inclusion, and 3) the cultivation of harmony through shared values.
Indonesian textbooks framed multiculturalism as a foundational principle rooted in Pancasila and highlighted ethnic, religious, and class differences as sources of national strength. Thai textbooks also acknowledged diversity but emphasized civic duty, national unity, and moral values over critical engagement with structural inequalities. A comparative analysis showed that Indonesia leaned toward a transformative multicultural approach, while Thailand favored a conservative model aligned with nation-building objectives. This research contributed to the discourse on multicultural education in Southeast Asia and suggested that curriculum developers should prioritize inclusive and critically engaged pedagogies.
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