authority & the state

territoriality

humankind is organized principally into discrete territorial, political communities which are called nation-states

nation

people with a common identity that ideally includes a shared culture, language, and feelings of belonging

state

a political apparatus (government institutions plus civil service officials) ruling over a given territorial order, whose authority is backed by law and the ability to use force

sovereignty

within these blocks of territory, states, or national governments claim supreme and exclusive authority over, and allegiance from, their peoples

power

the ability to carry out one’s own will despite resistance

authority

the justifiable right to exercise power

charismatic authority

authority that rests on the personal appeal of an individual leader

traditional authority

authority that rests on appeals to the past or traditions

legal-rational authority

authority based on legal, impersonal rules: the rules rule

bureaucracy

a legal-rational organization or mode of administration that governs with reference to formal rules and roles and emphasizes merit-based advancement

characteristics of bureaucracy

• specialized roles and division of labor

• hierarchy of authority

• formal rules and regulations

• technical competence and merit-based hiring

• impersonality

• formal written communication

disadvantages of bureaucracy

• red tape and inflexibility (tedious forms and registration)

• alienation (lack of positive interactions leaves workers feeling alienated)

• goal displacement (may be focused more on maintaining budget rather than the primary goal)

• limited innovation

• dehumanization

street-level bureaucrats

public service workers who interact directly with citizens in the course of their jobs and have a substantial discretion in the execution of their work

• deliver policy through everyday interactions

• function both as providers of services and as agents of social control

• their discretion and judgments have major implications

• expansion of the welfare state has increased their numbers and influence

one-dimensional power

the ability to get people to do something that you want through open conflict

• power relations involve a successful attempt by A to get B to do something that t hey would not otherwise do

• observable conflict among competing interests

• focus on actual rather than potential power

two-dimensional power

the ability to get what you want through suppressing conflict and limiting the scope of debate

• involves processes that limit or shape the operation of decision-making

• conflict decision-making to safe issues

• suppress challenges to the values or interests of the decision maker

three-dimensional power

the ability to get what you want by influence the preference of others

• invisible influence and domination that is built into patterns of thought, relationships, institutional structure, and cultural patterns

• A may exercise power over B by getting them to do what they do not want to do, but they also exercise power over them by influencing, shaping, or determining their very wants

indicators of power

• who wins?

  • when there are arguments over issues

• who has a reputation for power?

  • who is identified by community surveys

• who benefits?

  • who has the things valued in society

• who governs?

  • who sits in the seats considered to be powerful