Sociology: Understanding and Changing the Social World, Comprehensive Edition, v1.0: "Chapter 14, Section 1: Power and Authority"

Chapter 14, Section 1 discusses the three authority types as defined by Max Weber, one of the foremost social theorists of the twentieth century. Weber outlines three primary types of authority: traditional authority, rational-legal authority, and charismatic authority. As you read, consider the following questions:

  • Which type of authority leads to the most stable form of government, and why? Which type leads to the least stable form of government?
  • How can one form of authority eventually lead to another? For example, in how can charismatic authority evolve into traditional authority? 
  • Why is the U.S. government primarily characterized by rational-legal authority? Can either of the other two types of authority apply?

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