The Transformation of the Political-Legal Status of the Kasunanan Surakarta in the Post-Constitutional Court Decision Era

Abstract

The political and legal position of the Surakarta Kasunanan Palace has undergone a transformation shifting from a historical center of sovereignty to a marginalized institution within the modern state structure. Juridically, the 2014 Constitutional Court decision served as turning point, extinguishing hopes for the restoration of Special Region of Surakarta (DIS) status. Using a qualitative case study approach, this research analyzes the phenomenon through Max Weber’s theory of Authority and Legitimacy, alongside concepts of Collective Memory and Social Representation. The findings indicate that the Court’s rejection represents a victory for the state’s rational-legal authority over the Palace’s claims to traditional authority, which no longer possesses a foothold in post-1946 formal law. This condition is exacerbated by internal fragmentation and prolonged succession conflicts, which constitute a form of “political suicide” by damaging the Palace’s internal legitimacy. Consequently, an asymmetrical relationship has emerged, placing the Palace in a dependent position as an administrative client reliant on government budgets for physical maintenance and cultural activities. This study concludes that the Palace has undergone a fundamental shift in its functional role, transitioning from a sovereign political entity to a cultural heritage site and tourist attraction.