For example, the Prophet Muhammad also led by example, leading his small group of devoted followers with the power of his charismatic authority, which was perceived even in life as of divine origin. Apart from Max Weber`s classification of types of authority, we find the authority of the elite. It is the one who exercises a privileged group of society for its wealth, its influences or, in some cases, for its knowledge. Authority is also different from power because authority requires submission without the explicit use of force. (Kendall, et al., 2016) Power to impose obedience. Authority can be expressed in several ways. It is a kind of inflexible authority that tends to be prolonged by domination and the use of force. Followers accept it for fear of punishment or withdrawal of rewards. The basis of this charismatic authority, Hinnebusch said, was the image that was bigger than Gaddafi`s life as a rebel against Western imperialism, as a nationalist hero and protector of Libyan interests. Defining what authority is is not an easy task. From a practical point of view and in a very simple way, we can say that authority is the power that has a certain social approval of one group over another. The question becomes much more complicated when we try to address the types of authority.
De Nietzche Ubermensch was a man of authority and conviction who rose above concerns of morality, egalitarianism and herd mentality to become the master of his own destiny. This is one of the types of authority that is possessed with the consent of subordinates. Based on the ability of the charisma of the person in charge, it was born from respect and admiration for the qualities of the leader. They shall be accepted as justified on the basis of such respect for the capacities or the manner in which the subject in question is situated. We are all subject to authority in one way or another. This submission creates a certain level of frustration. However, these hierarchies are fundamental for us to live in peace and constructively in society. This kind of authority is about recognition or subjective punishment, not exactly reward or punishment. Power is transferred to this authority on the basis of the respect it generates. The source of their influence is their values, experience, knowledge, etc. Weber wrote that the modern state, based on rational and legal authority, emerged from the patrimonial and feudal struggle for power (see Traditional Authority) only in Western civilization. The prerequisites for the modern Western state are as follows: although it is a question of being considered a kind of authority, the main problem with this type of power relations is that there is no restriction or regulation per se or that it is weak.
The subordinate can do what he wants, there is no exercise of authority per se. Of course, this type of authority can also be considered traditional in some societies or at certain historical times. However, this is not a manifestation of the past; while dozens of modern states establish their authority through the use of force, oppression, fear and the superiority of power. Adolf Hitler is probably the most notorious public figure in history, but a figure who embodies the power of charismatic authority. First, we can divide the types of authority into two categories, depending on whether it occurs through social taxation or by persuading the abilities of the individual who holds it. This type of authority is a person, although it is usually granted by others. On this occasion, power is not exercised over the people themselves, but authority is exercised in relation to a particular issue or action. It is the one that gives the right to act in a certain way or to make decisions on certain aspects. The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 – 1900) sketched the concept of the great influence of the superman, roughly translated as Superman, who became a moral model for the abundance of charismatic leaders in the first half of the twentieth century, as seen in the examples above. Depending on where it comes from or in what direction or aspect it is applied, we can find different types of authority that we can see below. There are good and bad examples of charismatic authority. For example, Nelson Mandela and Volodymyr Zelensky used their charisma to unite their people against oppression.
Others, like Lenin and Stalin, used their charismatic authority to spread oppression. 2. Rational legal authority based on positive law. It reflects a complex distribution and is based on the principle of legality: regulation of authority by law. Under rational and legal authority, legitimacy is considered to derive from a legal system and the laws promulgated therein (see also natural law and legal positivism). Traditional authority is one of the types of Weber authority distinguished in the cited work. It is characterized by the fact that authority (i.e., legitimacy, leadership, power and other related concepts) is based on traditional values or customs. After all, we cannot refer to types of authority without mentioning religious authority. It is true that we can consider it as a subtype of the traditional, but it is so well delimited that it can be grouped autonomously by itself.
Max Weber divided legitimate authority into three different types of societies: traditional authority, rational-legal authority, and charismatic authority. Each of these authorities has its own unique complex societies that have evolved from simple definitions. While domination can be legitimate or illegitimate, authority in Weber`s sense is the legitimate relationship of domination and subordination between leader and follower. Starting from specific instances centered on the individual, we now observe more abstract philosophical formulations of the concept of charismatic authority. It is created by the customs of hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago. Following Weber`s ideas, it exists because it has always been so. An example of traditional authority is monarchy. The monarch who exercises authority does so on the basis of the traditions, customs and values that precede him. Its power is not questioned because it has always been. It is a kind of authority that does not arise from social position, but from the predisposition to organize and accept other orders. Authority can easily move from one subject to another without any formal recognition for it. It was born out of mutual acceptance and is very similar to charismatic, personal and moral authority.
Of course, this kind of authority must be accompanied by personal leadership skills. However, such virtues are not necessarily ethical or moral. Sometimes it is simply a special social skill or a certain skill in certain activities. It is one of the most harmful types of authority, because it does not result from personal position or conditions, but from the use of force in a sense. The source of power is fear and usually corresponds to an arbitrary exercise of norms and commandments. This kind of authority is practically the opposite of the previous one. In this case, the power of the person or entity is recognized, even if it does not occupy a social or collective position or position that confers influence on it as such. Academics such as Max Weber and Charles Perrow have characterized rational and legal bureaucracy as the most efficient form of administration. [1] [2] Although the assassination failed, the story of Saddam`s involvement in the assassination and the long journey through the desert in Syria quickly took on mythical proportions, giving Saddam`s public figure a heroism that would become the basis of his charismatic authority. Authority in Weber`s sense can be understood as domination, although associated with legitimacy.
Similarly, Hitler`s ideological ally and collaborator, Benito Mussolini, built a power base in Italy through his charismatic authority.