Sources:
- Power, Authority and the State.
- Power and Authority.
- You Tube: Max Weber: Authority and Power.
- OER: Power and Authority.
__________
What is Power?
the ability to have one’s will carried out despite the resistance of others.
What is Legitimate Authority?
power whose use is considered just and appropriate by those over whom the power is exercised. In short, if a society approves of the exercise of power in a particular way, then that power is also legitimate authority.
- Three Types:
- - Charismatic Authority: stems from an individual’s extraordinary personal qualities and from that individual’s hold over followers because of these qualities. Such charismatic individuals may exercise authority over a whole society or only a specific group within a larger society. They can exercise authority for good and for bad
- - Traditional Authority: power that is rooted in traditional, or long-standing, beliefs and practices of a society. It exists and is assigned to particular individuals because of that society’s customs and traditions. Individuals enjoy traditional authority for at least one of two reasons. The first is inheritance, as certain individuals are granted traditional authority because they are the children or other relatives of people who already exercise traditional authority. The second reason individuals enjoy traditional authority is more religious: their societies believe they are anointed by God or the gods, depending on the society’s religious beliefs, to lead their society.
- - Rational Legal Authority: derives from law and is based on a belief in the legitimacy of a society’s laws and rules and in the right of leaders to act under these rules to make decisions and set policy. This form of authority is a hallmark of modern democracies, where power is given to people elected by voters, and the rules for wielding that power are usually set forth in a constitution, a charter, or another written document.
From ChatGPT:
1. Traditional Authority
Definition: Authority derived from longstanding customs, traditions, or historical practices.
Characteristics:
- Rooted in heritage, culture, or age-old practices.
- Leaders are often seen as legitimate because "it has always been this way."
- Examples: Monarchies, tribal systems, or religious leaders like priests in traditional societies.
2. Charismatic Authority
Definition: Authority based on an individual's exceptional qualities, vision, or ability to inspire devotion and loyalty.
Characteristics:
- The leader is often perceived as extraordinary or gifted.
- Followers are attracted to the leader's charisma and personal qualities, rather than institutional structures.
- Examples: Revolutionary leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., or religious figures like Jesus Christ.
3. Rational-Legal Authority
Definition: Authority derived from established laws, rules, and procedures.
Characteristics:
- Leaders gain legitimacy through a legal framework and bureaucratic systems.
- Authority is tied to a role or position, not the individual occupying it.
- Examples: Elected officials, corporate executives, or government officials in modern democracies.
These types of authority often coexist, and transitions between them can occur during significant societal changes. Weber's framework provides a lens to analyze the legitimacy of power and leadership in various contexts.
