Sociology

Sociology Study Guide

In his research and theorizing, Weber identified three types of legitimate authority. Each type is based on implicit or explicit consent of those who are under that power. All three of these types are present in most societies. • Traditional: Power is based on socially accepted customs and practices. It has historical roots and is religiously sanctioned; for these reasons, it is usually hereditary and an ascribed status. Leadership quality is not a requirement; people will obey because they always have. • Rational-legal: Power is based on rules, regulations, and procedures that are expressly designed to establish power and how it is exercised and distributed. It is based more on the position and not the person holding the position. • Charismatic: Power is based on the qualities of the leader, like being able to excite and inspire his/her followers. It is often unstable as it rests with the charisma of one person. This kindof leader can have a positive or negative influence on societies. Distribution of Power There are three perspectives concerning the distribution of political power. • Pluralist: Social order is achieved when the state effectively mediates interest groups, seeks public consensus and passes laws and regulations to reflect that consensus. In this perspective, the political system is a continuous bargaining process with give-and-take between all interest groups. • Elitist: Democracies in the modern world are led by a very small minority (the elite). Three of the leading classic elitists are Michels, Mosca, and Pareto. In this perspective, the general population is viewed as apathetic, incompetent, and unwilling or unable to govern themselves. Even in large bureaucracies, small, elite, powerful groups (oligarchies) take the lead. Modern elitists view the population as able to rule themselves but manipulated and/or exploited by the elite. • Class conflict: Derived from Karl Marx’s works, this perspective believes that power is in the hands of a small ruling class. Conflicts are inevitable as oppressed groups attempt tooverthrow the ruling class. Types of Government Government is classified according to the type of relationship between the ruler and the ruled and whether the government answers to the people or vice versa. The three most common types of government found throughout the world are: • Authoritarianism: Form of government where rulers rarely consider what the public wants. Elections do not exist; civil rights are not protected. Political parties are non-existent and ideologies are not allowed. Rulers do not tolerate opposition. • Totalitarianism: Form of government where rulers don’t recognize any limits to their authority. This is an extreme form of authoritarianism that stretches to regulate all aspects of social life. Any opposition is suppressed, religious groups are persecuted, and censorship is liberal.

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