According to Weber,
power made legitimate by laws, written rules, and regulations
is termed rational-legal authority. In this type of authority, power is vested in a particular rationale, system, or ideology and not necessarily in the person who implements the specifics of that doctrine.
According to Weber,
power made legitimate by laws, written rules, and regulations
is termed rational-legal authority. In this type of authority, power is vested in a particular rationale, system, or ideology and not necessarily in the person who implements the specifics of that doctrine.
The authority system is rational
because means are designed expressly to achieve certain goals and it is legal because authority is exercised through an office with its associated rules and procedures
. For Weber the bureaucratic organization was technically the most efficient form of organization possible.
Rational Legal Authority. -Based on written rules-
a type of power that “reasonable” people agree to and write into law
. -Authority comes from the position that someone holds, not the person who holds that position. -Everyone is subject to organizations written rules.
Rational-legal authority: rational grounds
Rational-legal authority is the basis of modern democracies. Examples of this type of authority:
officials elected by voters
, rules that are in the constitution, or policies that are written in a formal document. Rational-legal authority is built on a structure of bureaucracy.
- Academic authority.
- Charismatic authority.
- Expert authority.
- Founder authority.
- Legal governing authority.
- Organizational position authority.
- Ownership authority.
- Prophetic authority.
The three attributes of authority have been described as status, specialist skills or knowledge, and social position. Children consider the type of command, the characteristics of the authority figure, and the social context when making authority conclusions.
According to Weber (1968), a rational-legal form of authority is characterized by
abstract legality and stability
and is based on balancing all everyday activities which are repetitive; it contains a system of rational rules.
The majority of the modern states of the
twentieth century are rational-legal authorities
, according to those who use this form of classification. Unlike charismatic authority and traditional authority, rational-legal authority derives its powers from the system of bureaucracy and legality.
Basis for Comparison Power Authority Meaning Power means the ability or potential of an individual to influence others and control their actions. The legal and formal right to give orders and commands, and take decisions is known as an Authority.
Monarchy
is an example of traditional authority. Rational-legal authority is based on written rules.
Examples of Traditional Authority
Hereditary nobles in Europe
, particularly the monarchy. … President of the United States, while individuals may be different, they are assuming the authority of their predecessors as grant by the Constitution. The Pope holds authority as a surrogate of Jesus.
In contemporary societies, the primary political system is
the government
—the formal organization that has the legal and political authority to regulate the relationships among members of a society and between the society and those outside its borders.
Weber stressed that the rational-legal form was
the most stable of systems for both superiors and subordinates —
it’s more reliable and clear, yet allows the subordinate more independence and discretion.
Legal authority means any provision of law or regulation that carries the force of law, including, for example,
statutes, rules and regulations
, and court rulings.
Which statement best expresses the difference between power and authority?
Authority involves intimidation. Authority is more subtle than power
. Authority is based on the perceived legitimacy of the individual in power.
