PSIR – 20 Advanced 20-Mark Model Answer Series
Model Answer 20
“Weber’s typology of authority explains the foundations of political legitimacy in modern society.” Discuss. (20 Marks)
🔹 Introduction
Max Weber distinguished between power and authority, arguing that authority represents legitimate power. His typology—Traditional, Charismatic, and Legal-Rational authority—remains central to understanding political legitimacy.
🔹 1️⃣ Traditional Authority
- Based on custom and inherited status.
- Legitimacy rooted in tradition.
- Example: Monarchies and feudal systems.
Stability derives from historical continuity.
🔹 2️⃣ Charismatic Authority
- Based on exceptional personal qualities.
- Emotional devotion of followers.
- Often revolutionary and unstable.
Charisma may disrupt traditional and legal structures.
🔹 3️⃣ Legal-Rational Authority
- Based on formal rules and laws.
- Impersonal and bureaucratic.
- Dominant in modern democratic states.
Legitimacy flows from adherence to procedural norms.
🔹 Relevance to Modern Society
- Modern states operate primarily through legal-rational authority.
- Charismatic leadership resurfaces during crises.
- Traditional authority persists in cultural institutions.
🔹 Critical Evaluation
Weber’s typology clarifies sources of legitimacy and political stability. However, critics argue that authority forms often overlap. Modern populism blends charisma with electoral legality.
🔹 Conclusion
Weber’s framework remains indispensable for analyzing political legitimacy. His typology demonstrates that authority rests not merely on coercion but on socially recognized justification.
Shaktimatha Learning – Advanced 20-Mark Model Answer Series
No comments:
Post a Comment