Authority

Legal-Rational Authority

According to Weber, legal-rational authority is legitimized by complex, usually written, rules laid out in the form of constitutions, statutes, and other sources of societal law. This form of authority is found not only in governmental settings but is also prevalent in defining the organization and control of most large corporations as well. Authority is vested to superiors by specific legal parameters that serve to structure the positions or offices they hold.

Traditional Authority

The foundation for traditional authority lies in the preservation of the social order as it has existed throughout history. Obligations of followers are based on personal loyalty to the ruler whose governance is legitimized by traditional rules and regulations. Obedience is unswerving among the faithful and adheres to the doctrine of “The Divine Right of Kings.” Some examples of traditional authority include ruling families, the feudal systems in early Europe and Asia, some family businesses, and various tribal organizations. It is interesting to note that the ruler is also bound by the same traditional regulations as the subjects and any deviation from this norm would erode the legitimacy of his authority.

Charismatic Authority

Charismatic authority results in the devotion of followers to an individual based upon his or her character, heroism, or gifts of grace. These leaders are obeyed because of certain divine gifts or unusual qualities they possess, such as revelations from God, extraordinary intelligence, and powerful speech. Examples of the charismatic leader include war heroes, prophets, and visionaries. Allegiance to the charismatic leader lasts only as long as the followers ascribe special qualities to him or her.

Weber's conception of authority focused on the relationships between the leader and follower and not attributes of the leader alone. He understood also that types of legitimate authority may overlap and be evident in the styles of certain leaders.