Literaturein constructivist International Relations hasestablished that identity matters in howthestateconducts its foreign policy. Most studies focus on howidentity is formed through the process of otheringwhileseemingly neglect the notion ofsameness. Indeed the notion ofshared-cultureis usually deployed by thestateto engagein regional integration building. However, we knowlittleabout howstatesconstruct and thenmobilisethe notion ofsamenessasastrategy to alter other nations’contentious viewtoward them. In thisarticle, we explorethelink between relational powerand stateidentity in order to conceptualisethestrategic use ofsameness in international politics. Wearguethat thestatecould increaseits relational power toward others through internalisingsameness within its stateidentity. Weshowthat thestateis morelikely to construct sameness to resolveenmity dueto limitation of thestate’s resources in enactinghard and soft power when engagingwith otherstates. Statereproduces the notion ofsameness through two aspects:symbolicand discursive. Arguably,constructingsamenessasa part ofstateidentity enables thestateto influenceindirectly theforeign policy of otherstates. Weillustrate ourargument through thecase of Indonesia’s Foreign Policy towards theGlobal South andDeveloped Countries.

t International Relations, regional integration building, Developed Countries.

• Prof. Dr. Tirta Nugraha Mursitama, S.Sos., M.M., Ph.D.

• Moch. Faisal, S.Sos., M.A., Ph.D

• Suwarno, S.Si., M.Pd.