Under the doctrine of rational-legal authority, authority is derived from
rational societal constructs, legal legitimacy, compliance with established legal norms and the bureaucratic system
. … Most modern states use the rational-legal system of authority.
What does rational-legal refer to?
Rational-Legal Authority. 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 (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 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.
- Academic authority.
- Charismatic authority.
- Expert authority.
- Founder authority.
- Legal governing authority.
- Organizational position authority.
- Ownership authority.
- Prophetic authority.
Max Weber
on Rational-Legal Authority: According to Weber, rational-legal authority is a form of leadership in which the authority of an organization or a ruling regime is largely tied to legal rationality, legal legitimacy, and bureaucracy.
Examples of some of the charismatic leaders are
Gamal Abdul Nasser (Middle East)
, Saddam Hussein, Houari Boumediene, Yassar Arafat, Ayatolah Khumeini, etc. Egypt and Libya under Mubarak and Gaddafi as their charismatic leaders saw them directing their succession to their sons and families.
The rule of hereditary monarchs furnishes an obvious example.
The Tudor dynasty in England and the ruling families of Mewar in Rajasthan (India)
are some examples of traditional authority. The third form of authority is charismatic authority. Here, the charisma of the individual or the leader plays an important role.
What are the three types of formal organization?
There are three main types of organizations,
utilitarian organizations, normative organizations, and coercive organizations
. In utilitarian organizations, members are paid for their efforts.
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. … Finally, Legal Rational Authority derives its power from the system of bureaucracy and legality.
His three types of authority are
traditional authority, charismatic authority and legal-rational authority
(Weber 1922). mandate to rule.
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.
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.
Which is the strongest form of conformity?
Researchers have found that
peer conformity
is strongest for individuals who reported strong identification with their friends or groups, making them more likely to adopt beliefs and behaviors accepted in such circle.
| Weber’s Three Types of Authority | Traditional Legal-Rational | Leadership Style Historic personality Bureaucratic officials | Example Patriarchy (traditional positions of authority), royal families with no political power but social influence U.S. presidency and Congress, Modern British Parliament |
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