Lecture 4- power authority legitimacy

Power, Authority, and Legitimacy in Political Philosophy

Introduction to Political Power

  • Political Power

    • At the core of politics; politics is fundamentally about power.

    • Defined as the ability to achieve desired outcomes through various means.

    • Involves diversity and conflict among different interests.

    • Scarcity plays a crucial role: desires often exceed available resources.

Understanding Power

  • Defining Power

    • Max Weber (1948): Power is the probability that one actor can fulfill their will, despite resistance.

    • Talcott Parsons (1957): Power is the capacity to mobilize societal resources towards public goals.

Types of Political Power

  1. Threat of Force

    • Involves coercive institutions (e.g., military regimes).

    • Force is foundational to state power.

  2. Exchange Power

    • More prevalent than force.

    • Consists of deals based on positive incentives rather than coercion.

  3. Creating Obligations

    • Power that inspires loyalty.

    • Utilizes forces like nationalism and religion to motivate sacrifices.

Distribution of Power in Society

  1. Elite Theories

    • Proposes that a ruling elite is inevitable (Pareto, 1902).

    • Classifies societal actors into three categories:

      • Governing elite.

      • Non-governing elite (wealthy, aristocrats).

      • Mass population (non-elite).

  2. Pluralist Theory

    • Emphasizes government by many and a competitive environment.

    • Argues that elites possess less power in a more democratic context (with limited governance).

    • Raises questions about manipulation of an ill-informed electorate by ruling elites.

Political Authority

  • Authority is an essential aspect of political power, implying a legitimate power relationship.

  • When individuals accept authority, they also accept the legitimacy of the exerted power.

    • Coercive power alone is inadequate for governance; power must be legitimized.

Types of Authority

  1. Customary or Traditional Authority

    • Based on long-standing traditions; seen as sacred and hereditary.

    • Authorities, such as kings or chiefs, derive power from customs.

  2. Rational-Legal Authority

    • Typical in modern democracies; authority is rooted in laws rather than individuals.

    • Obedience is owed to a system or set of principles rather than a single ruler.

  3. Charismatic Authority

    • Distinctive leaders command obedience through their inspirational qualities.

    • Often emerges during times of crisis and can coexist with other authority types.

Political Legitimacy

  • Definition: The right to power, often referred to as "rightful power."

  • Connects to political obligation: why should citizens acknowledge state authority?

  • Distinction between legitimacy and legality:

    • Legitimacy: Validity of laws accepted by the populace.

    • Legality: Adherence to outlined procedures in law-making, regardless of legitimacy.

Types of Legitimacy**

  1. Customary Legitimacy

    • Validated by historical continuity and longevity.

  2. Charismatic Legitimacy

    • Grounded in personal appeal; tends to lack procedural limits.

    • Systems often fail after the leader's tenure.

  3. Rational-Legal Legitimacy

    • Associated with limited government and reduction of power abuse.

    • Legitimacy is established if:

      • Power is executed according to established and shared rules.

      • There is consent from the governed.