Types of Authorities According to Max Weber

Introduction: Max Weber identified three main types of authority that underpin power and governance in society:

1. Traditional Authority:
   • Definition: Power legitimized by long-standing customs and traditions.
   • Example: Monarchies, where kings and queens inherit their position based on family lineage.
2. Charismatic Authority:
   • Definition: Power derived from an individual’s exceptional qualities and charm.
   • Example: Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi or Martin Luther King Jr., whose influence comes from their personal appeal and vision.
3. Legal-Rational Authority:
   • Definition: Power based on established laws and procedures.
   • Example: Elected officials, like a president or prime minister, who gain authority through democratic processes and legal frameworks.

Conclusion: These types of authority illustrate how power can be constructed and maintained in different ways, impacting governance and social organization.