Weber’s Three Types of Authority

Weber’s Three Types of Authority Explain why these three people/ groups have authority (legitimate power) (if you think they do!) Your grandparent Your Headteacher The Most Popular boys/ girls in school

Authority Summary • SQA Definition: • Authority is a rightful power which implies an obligation to obey. • “authority is power cloaked in legitimacy” • Authority a form of rightful power.

Max Weber Born in Germany 1864-1920 One of the most important political and social theorists of the 19th & 20th centuries Influential theorist on the concept of political power and authority https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICppFQ6Tabw

Weber’s Key Ideas on Authority Weber argued that having authority is important irrespective of how it’s achieved. As long as there is the perceptionthat authority is legitimate it’s fine. He said that having power did not need to be morally right as long as people believed you had the right to rule He believed there were different waysa leader or group could gain authority

Weber believed there were three types of authority or legitimate power; • Traditional(respect for elders) • Charismatic(value opinions and words through their responsibility) • Legal-rational or Bureacratic(respect for right of state – parliament’s legal rights to pass new laws). Weber also called these ‘Systems of Domination’.

1. Traditional authority Traditional authority – this form of authoritative power comes from established customs passing power down on a hereditary basis; for example, the British Monarchy. This type of authority relies on the unquestioning acceptanceof hereditary systems of power and privilege. While the UK Monarchy have a largely symbolic role as Head of State within the British political system, in places such as Saudi Arabia the monarchy are the Head of State and the government In Native American tribes traditional authority can often be granted to the eldest member of the tribe (due to their wisdom & experience)

Traditional Authority Some people accept the power and rule of others because there is a long standing traditionof things being like that. The British Royal family could be said to have traditional authority (although they have little real power.) Similarly a society that respects age (where elders rule) often does so on the grounds of tradition

North Korea & Traditional Authority The Supreme Leaders of North Korea have been Kim Il-Sung, his son Kim Jong-il, and his grandson Kim Jong-un. Installed as leader after WW2 AND Japanese occupation ends. This regime commands authority because they have more or less ‘always’ existed and this is why they are regarded as legitimate. People accept that they traditionally lead and that is ‘the way it is’.

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?

Analysis – Trad. Authority It can be argued that this type of power is unquestioned because it has always existed for earlier generations. It is therefore argued that this traditional authority can be open to abuseby those who want absolute power – expecting citizens to follow their will because it is ‘right and just’ It can be argued this type of authority is still relevant as many countries still have monarchies. However, it may be of less significance in Western Liberal Republics i.e. Germany, USA as they have no monarchy It may be argued to exist in countries which still have a monarchy, albeit in a constitutional form, i.e. the UK, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands. Some argue that traditional authority keeps alive traditions of respect, duty etc. –supported by many conservatives

Revision Sheet – Traditional Authority

Weber’s Three Types of Authority