Functional Analysis of Mpu Sindok's Government Policy in the 10th Century AD

Abstract

This research discusses the policies during Mpu Sindok using Robert King Merton’s functional analysis approach. The problem discussed is how Mpu Sindok could function as king in the government structure of the kingdom he led. This problem is answered by knowing the manifest functions, latent functions and dysfunctional aspects of Mpu Sindok based on his policies. The method used is the historical method which consists of four stages, namely heuristics, verification, interpretation, and historiography. Based on the research that has been done by comparing Mpu Sindok’s policies with the astabrata concept, it can be seen that Mpu Sindok carried out manifest functions in the field of infrastructure development while latent in the social area. The dysfunctional aspect of Mpu Sindok is still vague, especially in the king as a symbol of glory due to the lack of information in his inscriptions. This research’s novelty lies in the fact that Mpu Sindok is not yet Ideal as the king of Java based on astabrata because he has not fulfilled some aspects that a king should fulfill.