Download
1 / 20
200 likes | 242 Views
Power, Authority & Legitimacy. Authority Explain the term “Traditional Authority ”. We are learning to…. Success Criteria – I can…. Use these ideas in a Higher politics essay on P,A,L or Weber. Describe & Explain the concept of authority Summarise Max Weber’s three types of Authority.
E N D
Power, Authority & Legitimacy Authority Explain the term “Traditional Authority”
We are learning to… Success Criteria – I can… Use these ideas in a Higher politics essay on P,A,L or Weber • Describe & Explain the concept of authority • SummariseMax Weber’s three types of Authority
Task one-Revision Sheet – Traditional Authority. 10 mins The more detail the better as this will form your plan for Paragraph one of the 12 mark essay we are going to complete!!
2. Charismatic authority Charismatic authority– this type of authoritative power is based on ‘charisma’ – the power of an individual’s personality. Charismatic authority is not based on a person’s status, social position or office. A leader with Charismatic authority often appeals directly to followers as a kind of hero or saint Charismatic authority may die with the leader or continue to work through a group of chosen disciples. When a charismatic leader is removed or dies it can create a vacuum of power and a weakening of authority which ultimately can lead to regime change or in extreme cases civil war. This type of authority gives someone legitimacy based on who they are or what they have done
‘The Cult of Personality’ It is important to note that charismatic authority is not simply a gift, it is often carefully manufacturedor cultivated by creating a ‘cult of personality’ This is when a leader uses propagandato portray themselves as a heroic or God-like figure. The leader is viewed as the source of all political wisdom & therefore the Rightful Leader Any form of criticism or opposition amounts to treason and is usually brutally supressed https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKpegUbq5Y8
Example 1: Adolf Hitler • Leader of Nazi Germany ‘The Third Reich’ 1933-45 • The NSDAP never won an election so when Hitler became Chancellor it was important to create a country that worshipped him to reduce potential opposition • Created his own title‘Der Führer’ – The Leader • Joseph Goebbels – ‘ Minister for Public Enlightenment’ –extensive propaganda campaignscreated which taught Germans to love The Führer • 20 April – Hitler’s Birthday became a national celebration • Young people taught in schools that Hitler had saved Germany & photo of him in every classroom • Hitler Youth – taught to adore The Führer etc.
One People One Country One Fuhrer
Example 2: Joseph Stalin • Leader of the Soviet Union – Stalin’s cult of personality was an important part of his rule • He was presented as an all- knowing, all powerful leader – described as ‘wise’ and ‘genius’ etc. • Soviet Press started to refer to him as the ‘Father of Nations’ • He was portrayed as a Father Figureto Soviet people of all races & religions • From 1935 the phrase "Thank You Dear Comrade Stalin for a Happy Childhood!“was displayed in all schools nurseries etc. • History was rewritten to give Stalin a larger role in the Russian Revolution in 1917 • Statues & Portraits everywhere
Ex 3: North Korea & The Kim Dynasty • Kim Il Sung (1948) and his descendants • A cult of personality has been used to justify the family’s position and was greatly expanded after Kim Il Sung’s death in 1994 • Known as ‘The Great Leader’ or ‘Supreme Leader’ • People not allowed to split his name in writing or a book • By 1992, there were 40,000 statues of Kim Il Sung in NK • Every household is required to havea picture of both Kimshanging on a wall. Nothing else may hang on that wall and they are given special cloths to clean the images daily • The portraits have to be hung high up, so that people in the room may not stand higher than them • Birthday celebrations for the Kims also involve state media broadcasts of films about the lives and accomplishments of the leaders the night before the actual holiday - People are not allowed to talk or fall asleepuntil the broadcasts are over.
Group discussion - How relevant is this charismatic authority? Do we see it in the UK today? Do we see it across the world? Where? Is it becoming more or less relevant today? Why?
Examples • It could be claimed that this type of authority is prominent in the 21st century with many leaders and candidates attempting to manufacture charisma. • Think about: • Different ‘personalities’ in the media • Nigel Farage • Donald Trump • Hilary Clinton • Vladimir Putin Obama’s Speech Nelson Mandela Putin
Analysis • It can be argued that this is a dangerous type of authority as it rarely has any legal limits and is usually associated with undemocratic dictatorships • It is usually the case that citizens are instructed to obey and acknowledge the leader’s absolute power and often citizen’s rights are limited • It can be argued that this charismatic authority based on ‘cult of personality’ is still relevantas it is seen in societies like North Korea and often used by leaders like Putin to extend their authority • In addition, this type of authority israrely sustainable in the long term as the death of the charismatic leader often leads to civil war or political instability • For example, whenSaddam Hussain was toppled in Iraq it created a violent power struggle between different religious groups within the country.
