Answer

Question 1. Consider Weber’s distinction between authority and power. Which does he think is more effective and stable, and why? Who holds authority and power in your society (in your life), and why do you think, using weber’s theory, they are able to maintain this position over you and others?

Sociologists have for many years studied government power and authority. They have always applied distinctive approaches while exploring how the government exercises its control and power. Max Weber, in 1922 proposed that power is the ability to exercise an individual’s will over the others in the society (Joosse, 2017). According to this definition, power would affect more than personal relationships; it shapes social groups, governments, and organizations. Weber defined authority as accepted power that is the power people acknowledge and follow. Weber classified authority into three classes, which include; legal-rational authority, charismatic authority, and traditional authority.  

According to Weber, charismatic authority is more effective and stable because people are drawn to the leader’s values and vision. People follow legal-rational and traditional authority because people found it there; thus, they have to invest in it. In society, the legal-rational authority, which is the written laws and constitution, holds more power. In my life, parents and teachers hold authority over me. My parents and educators exercise their power over me because they have raised and still rely on them for guidance and support. Parents will continually have authority over their children, but educators will only maintain their authority over learners while in institutions.  

To sum up, power and authority are different according to Weber; his explanations are relevant because they lead to forming a system that classifies types of authority in a logical order. However, it is important to note that some leaders can fall into more than one authority category, such as Mohandas Gandhi, who can be classified as both a charismatic authority and legal-authority character. As sociology evolves, there might be an additional type of authority that includes figures such as Gandhi.