Max Weber - 12 Marker

Question 1

Traditional Authority - Point

Answer 1

One type of authority Max Weber identifies is traditional

Question 2

Traditional Authority - Explain

Answer 2

Traditional authority is power that’s rooted in long-standing beliefs of a society

Less common today than in pre-industrial societies but still exists

Question 3

Traditional Authority - Example

Answer 3

House of Saud ruled Saudi Arabia since 1774

Public have no say in political decisions & most positions in ruling administration are held by members of Saudi royal family

Question 4

Traditional Authority - Analysis

Answer 4

Not as relevant or democratic as other types of authority

Limited to a handful of places around the world

As very few countries in the world that follow this authority any more, this type isn’t as relevant as others

Question 5

Rational-Legal Authority - Point

Answer 5

A second type of authority Max Weber identifies is rational-legal authority

Question 6

Rational-Legal Authority - Explain

Answer 6

Weber’s view is rational-legal auth comes from law & is based on the belief in a society’s laws & the right of leaders to make decisions

Helps ensure an orderly transfer of power in a time of crisis

Question 7

Rational-Legal Authority - Example

Answer 7

US president JFK was assassinated in 1963, vice president Lyndon Johnson immediately sworn in as next president

Question 8

Rational-Legal Authority - Analysis

Answer 8

More democratic than others

Most country’s today are somewhat democratically organised & are living under rational-legal authority

Question 9

Charismatic - Point

Answer 9

Another of Max Weber’s authorities is charismatic authority

Question 10

Charismatic - Explain

Answer 10

When people choose to obey leaders based on special qualities or characteristics of individuals

Charismatic leaders are able inspire others to follow them through their personalities

This authority usually seen to die with the individual

Question 11

Charismatic - Example

Answer 11

Nelson Mandela became first black leader of South Africa after spending 27 years in jail

Through his personality he was classed as a national hero helping him secure the country

Question 12

Charismatic - Analysis

Answer 12

Similarities as Weber’s types of authority can still be seen as partially relevant today

The idea of traditional authority is limited to a handful of places around the world such as the Kim dynasty in North Korea

Rational-legal authority seen as more prevalent in today’s world so is the most relevant type of authority