Power, Legitimacy and Authority

Question 1

Definition of Politics

Answer 1

each one of us pursuing what we value performed anywhere in a social field (school, family, work, government etc) to move other people in pursuit of some design cherished by the mover. This involves disagreements and the reconciliation of those disagreements and therefore can occur at any level (about resolving disagreements between people that have different opinions, desires, needs, wants etc. without violence). Not necessarily related to the government.

Question 2

Coalition

Answer 2

the joining of forces by two or more parties during a conflict of interest with other parties. (when interests collide between people) coalitions shift and change especially in politics in the gov.

Question 3

Power

Answer 3

the social ability to induce others to do what you want. Power comes in different forms.

Question 4

3 forms of Power → Influence, Coercion, Authority, What is influence?

Answer 4

ability to persuade/convince others to do what you want them to do. How to influence: you can appeal to their intellect (reasoning, logic, rational argumentation), play with their emotions, persons passions, self-interest (what benefits them), group solidarity (people’s sense of belonging- race, gender, culture).

Question 5

What is coercion?

Answer 5

the deliberate subjection of one will or another, through force, fear of harm or threats of harm. The person is doing it out of fear (involuntarily) that something will happen if they don’t.

Question 6

What is Authority?

Answer 6

a form of power in which people obey commands, not because they’ve been rationally or emotionally persuaded (influence) or they fear the consequences of disobedience (coercion), just simply because they respect the source of the command

Question 7

What is Legitimacy?

Answer 7

what makes authority possible- the feeling of respect for authority that exists in those that obey.

Question 8

Who is Max Weber?

Answer 8

A sociologist that was interested in authority, where is the origin or source of authority.

Question 9

There are 3 categories of Authority: Traditional, Legal and Charismatic. What is traditional?

Answer 9

the domination based on inherited position, customs and traditions, ex: kings and queens (inherit their position on the basis of tradition- they’re not chosen.)

Question 10

What is legal authority?

Answer 10

based on rules/laws that apply to everyone living in that society, you don’t inherit your title, your power comes from the office your in and the law and legal system gives that power.

Question 11

What is Charismatic Authority?

Answer 11

It’s based on the projection and perception of extraordinary personal qualities.