Weber - types of legitimate domination

power

the likelihood that you can get what you want, even against resistance - controlling the outcomes or decisions, no matter the obstacles

ex: a boss has the power to assign tasks to the employees, even if they don’t want to do them, because the boss has the authority in the workplace

domination

to make others obey your commands or authority. It’s a form of power where people willingly follow because they accept the authority as legitimate - the probability of commands being obeyed

ex: a teacher has domination in the classroom because students see them as the legitimate authority and follow their rules

ideal dominant type

• voluntary compliance and interest in obeying commands

• belief in the legitimacy

• the relationships are relatively long term and durable

charismatic authority

type of power or domination where people follow a leader because they are inspired by the leader's extraordinary qualities, personality, or vision. The leader is seen as exceptional or heroic, and followers feel emotionally connected to them - authority stems from the leaders personality, followers believe in extraordinary quality of this person

ex: Oprah Winfrey

why people follow charismatic authority

• often arises in times of crisis

• see leader as extraordinary

• the current authority is unstable

• routinization of charisma - transformation into another form of authority

traditional authority

type of power where people follow leaders or rules because it has always been that way. It’s based on long-established customs, traditions, or historical practices that people respect and believe in - based on custom and loyalty, not ability or legislation, often associated with inheritance

ex: a pope in the church & people follow them because it has been passed down through generations and it is a tradition

rational legal authority

is a type of power where people obey leaders because of established laws, rules, or procedures, rather than personal qualities or traditions. The authority is based on legal frameworks that are accepted and followed by society — authority in procedure and position, written in laws

• laws legitimate when created / enforced in a proper manner

• authority from gaining power in procedurally correct ways

ex: president / government official