According to Weber, domination can be defined as the “probability that certain specific commands (or all commands) will be obeyed by a given group of persons (Weber, 1921/1968:1338). Domination then can take on the form of legitimated or illegitimated, but he focuses on legitimated forms domination, which he calls authority. There are three forms of authority, rational, traditional, and charismatic. Rational authority is the belief in the legality of enacted rules and the right of those elevated to authority under such rules to issue commands. In other words, rational authority is positional authority. The next type of authority is traditional authority. Traditional authority is this established belief in the sanctity of immoral traditions and the legitimacy of those exercising their authority. More simply, traditional authority is legitimized by belief and customs of people through family, culture, religion, etc. The last form of authority is charismatic authority. Charismatic authority rest on the devotion of followers to the exceptional sanctity, exemplary character, heroism, or special power of leaders, as well as on the normative order sanctioned by them, meaning that people follow a charismatic leader because he/she has the characteristic of an authority figure. I feel as though in today’s world the most common legitimization of authority is charismatic authority.
In order for a person to be classified a charismatic he/she must possess certain charismatic characteristics. This includes must not limited to, being able to speak well to a crowd, having a heroic like persona, possessing the ability to heal people (or make them believe so) and to be charming. These characteristic have been seen throughout are country’s leaders since the finding of this country. One particular charismatic leader that I came to mind when thinking about this topic was Dr. King.
Dr. King was a civil rights leader during the 1960s. He fought for equal rights for African Americans and taught that peace instead of violence. People followed Dr. King not only because he fought for equality, but because of his charismatic character. The African American society saw Dr. King as a heroic figure that came to save their lives. This is characteristic of a charismatic figure. The eloquent speeches that Dr. King gave and in the way he spoke in everyday life gave people, and not just Black people, a sense that he was a sort of savior to society.
Charismatic authority can be seen in all aspects of the world today. Even if we were to take the focus off of the political figures and look to the media, we could see how charismatic authority takes a toll on people. For example, everyone knows the music artist Tupac or 2pac. He was known for his great music, criminal history and his nose ring. But although he a negative authority figure, in some people’s opinion, others still followed him because he had certain characteristics that people, especially young people, look for in an authority figure. Tupac’s charm, the music that he made, the way he presented himself regardless of the audience made society look to him and they supported and followed him.
Weber was correct when he formulated his ideas about authority. In my opinion, having a certain type of authority can take a person to different levels in life. I feel as though if a group of people gives a person authority, as in charismatic authority, then that person has more respect from the people, than a person who is an authority figure because of tradition. Although this is my opinion I must remember that this is America and in America is all about power and domination, it does not matter about how one obtains that domination is only matters that they have it.
In order for a person to be classified a charismatic he/she must possess certain charismatic characteristics. This includes must not limited to, being able to speak well to a crowd, having a heroic like persona, possessing the ability to heal people (or make them believe so) and to be charming. These characteristic have been seen throughout are country’s leaders since the finding of this country. One particular charismatic leader that I came to mind when thinking about this topic was Dr. King.
Dr. King was a civil rights leader during the 1960s. He fought for equal rights for African Americans and taught that peace instead of violence. People followed Dr. King not only because he fought for equality, but because of his charismatic character. The African American society saw Dr. King as a heroic figure that came to save their lives. This is characteristic of a charismatic figure. The eloquent speeches that Dr. King gave and in the way he spoke in everyday life gave people, and not just Black people, a sense that he was a sort of savior to society.
Charismatic authority can be seen in all aspects of the world today. Even if we were to take the focus off of the political figures and look to the media, we could see how charismatic authority takes a toll on people. For example, everyone knows the music artist Tupac or 2pac. He was known for his great music, criminal history and his nose ring. But although he a negative authority figure, in some people’s opinion, others still followed him because he had certain characteristics that people, especially young people, look for in an authority figure. Tupac’s charm, the music that he made, the way he presented himself regardless of the audience made society look to him and they supported and followed him.
Weber was correct when he formulated his ideas about authority. In my opinion, having a certain type of authority can take a person to different levels in life. I feel as though if a group of people gives a person authority, as in charismatic authority, then that person has more respect from the people, than a person who is an authority figure because of tradition. Although this is my opinion I must remember that this is America and in America is all about power and domination, it does not matter about how one obtains that domination is only matters that they have it.