As the historian Thucydides had said 2,500 years ago, the strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they mustJakarta (ANTARA) - Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto has said that building national strength, in terms of demography, natural resources, economy, politics, military, and psychological mindset, can help boost resilience against global challenges.
“Professor Hans Joachim Morgenthau, who is known as a realist teacher of international relations, (has seconded this) reality. They say that in relations between countries, what matters is power," Subianto said in a press release here on Tuesday.
He delivered the statement during a scientific oration themed “Facing Global World Changes in the Next Decade” at the graduation ceremony of Pancasila University at the Jakarta Convention Center, Senayan, here, on Tuesday, according to the press release.
As the historian Thucydides said, strong people can do whatever they are capable of doing, he added.
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"As the historian Thucydides had said 2,500 years ago, the strong do what they can, the weak suffer what they must," he remarked.
He listed the components of national power by highlighting the military aspect, which has overarching importance.
“Is the state capable of managing, (guiding), and training good soldiers? We have extraordinary wealth, so we need good soldiers," he said.
To the graduates, the minister listed the qualities one must possess to achieve success.
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Those wanting to be leaders must master science and technology, hone their intelligence, be disciplined, think positively, be enthusiastic, persistent, be able to work collaboratively, and be loyal, he said.
“(Dream) high as the sky. Even if you have to fall, you will fall among the stars," he said, quoting the first Indonesian President, Soekarno.
Afterward, he symbolically handed over 1,200 copies of books entitled Paradoks Indonesia (Paradox of Indonesia) and Kepemimpinan Militer: Catatan dari Pengalaman Letnan Jenderal TNI (Purn.) Prabowo Subianto (Military Leadership: Notes from the Experience of Lieutenant General Prabowo Subianto) to the graduates.
Rector of Pancasila University, Edie Toet Hendratno; chairperson of the Pancasila University Education and Trustee Foundation (YPPUP), Siswono Yudo Husodo; and chairman of the supervisory body, Education and Trustee Foundation, General Agum Gumelar, also attended the event.
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Translator: Tri Meilani A, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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