max weber 3 types of authority essay Flashcards
intro
Authority can be defined as the power or right to give orders, make decisions and enforce obedience. Max Weber defines authority in three different ways. Traditional authority, Charismatic authority and Legal-rational authority. Through analysing the means of authority according to Max Weber, we are able to truly define what it means to have authority.
traditional authority description
Traditional authority is based on the passing down of powerful roles on a hereditary basis, tied largely to tradition where the ruling of these individuals is unquestioned due to establishments linking back hundreds of years. This form of authority is based largely on feudalism and privilege whereby the top classes will always be in authoritative roles due to hierarchical social structures.
traditional authority example
Saudi Arabia where Salman Bin Abdelaziz is the monarchical head of state as the king of Saudi Arabia who holds absolute power. This is clear that this is a form of traditional authority as Saudi Arabia has had a long standing monarch dating back to 1727.
traditional authority analysis
The basis of Traditional authority is purely on generations of people not questioning and accepting that this is the division of power and that it has, and always will be, despite outdated rules/laws. Many conservatives argue that the establishment of the monarchy is indispensable in the idea of a ‘strong’ nation as it keeps alive prevalent ideas of patriotism through history etc; wars, and is an act of respect for veterans. However others argue that years of unquestioning this authority has allowed for the abuse of power to try and gain absolute power as they are aware that people will ‘just go with it’. Therefore traditional forms of authority seriously lack in transparency and legitimacy as the public do not have a role in democratically electing those individuals in power or remove them.
charismatic authority description
The second branch of power Weber argues is Charismatic authority. Weber argues that people have heightened levels of power based simply on their personality and how charismatic they are. Those with charismatic authority are seen almost as a god to their followers and anyone who questions their role is of disposal to them. Charismatic authority is often heightened by propaganda portraying the individual as the greatest, making people feel drawn to their cause.
charismatic authority example
Boris Johnston. To the public, Boris portrays a very likeable, clumsy ‘normal man’. Evident through his consistent messy/rough appearance during his role as prime minister. He portrays this likeable ‘friend’ character in order to gain support from all classes, people do not see him as one of the most powerful people in the country, they see him as a Neighbour. His ability to weaponise this trait has led to the continuation of a tory government in the UK and growth in support and membership just due to his image.
charismatic authority analysis
Charismatic authority lacks transparency and legitimacy in its nature as it is not based on concrete rules or procedures and therefore has no limits to how powerful the individual can become. However charisma is unstable and can deteriorate when the individual cannot produce the changes that they stood for and when they contradict logics of other forms of authority and therefore the transfer of charismatic authority is often hard to pursue and fails.
legal rational authority description
This authority derives its powers through bureaucracy and legality. This is defined as a system whereby rules are obeyed as they are in line with other laws and how they should be enacted and obeyed. In a democratic government, legal-rational authority is displayed as the voters are the ones to choose those in power and therefore the transfer of power is legitimate and unquestioned.
legal rational authority example
Nelson Mandela who was the resident of South Africa. He was an anti-racism advocate against the South African Government and became controversial when he began using violent methods in an attempt to overthrow the racist, white government. When he was finally released from prison many still viewed him as violent and not a hero. Despite this, he won an election in South Africa’s first free elections; and was accepted as the legitimate President of South Africa
legal rational authority analysis
An advantage of legal-rational authority is that it reduces the likelihood of power being abused as it is attached to a wider office rather than a person. In addition it leads to more efficiency within governance as there is a clear amount of responsibility. This branch of authority is legitimate and therefore is transparent as leaders are elected through democratic systems of voting and they have had the choice in the leader and will be accepting of policies that they implement.
