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Impact of Modernization on Polity. “That institution in society that arranges for the distribution of power .”. Power & Authority. Max Weber Power The ability to have one’s own will prevail, even in the face of opposition from others Authority Legitimate power Consent of the governed.
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Impact of Modernization on Polity “That institution in society that arranges for the distribution of power.”
Power & Authority • Max Weber • Power • The ability to have one’s own will prevail, even in the face of opposition from others • Authority • Legitimate power • Consent of the governed
Power & Authority • Types of Authority (Weber) • Charismatic • Unique personal power of exceptional individuals • Traditional • Received from the past • Conferred by birthright or higher authority • Often unlimited • Rational-Legal (dominant in modern world) • Incumbent in the office, not the person
Power & Authority • Power by law v. tradition • Restricted by explicit, universal, impersonal rules • To what do people consent?
From Feudalism to the Nation-State • Feudalism (Traditional authority) • Kingdoms v. nations • Areas of land controlled by royalty • Territories awarded to princes/vassals • Fiefdoms • In exchange for oath of loyalty to monarch • Princes organized armies • Divide up territory among serfs • Oath of loyalty
From Feudalism to the Nation-State • System was legitimated by divine right of kings • Power "granted by God" • Heirs, blood-lines • Majority of people • No voice • No mobility • Political Revolutions of late 18th century • Revolt against feudalism
From Feudalism to the Nation-State • Replaced by the nation-state • Nation: geographically and politically bounded territory • state: organized apparatus of government within that territory • Rational-legal authority: the state • State: governing body made up of either individuals themselves or their elected representatives • State embodies, carries out, "will of the people"
C. Wright Mills • Power vastly enhanced, centralized • Important decisions made by the “Power Elite” • Leaders drawn from economic, military, political sectors • Interlocking boards of directors • Shared backgrounds, social-psychological orientation • Demise of democracy • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y06NSBBRtY&feature=player_embedded(Eisenhower)