Weber’s ideal-type is an analytical tool used to examine sociological phenomena by making broad statements about society’s structures. However, the claims made are not reproducible but offer an adequate explanation of the phenomena’s underlying reasons (Ritzer, 2011). One application of this methodology in Weber’s work is the legitimate authority concept. This idea examines the power accepted by both the ruler and the ruled to be appropriate (Ritzer, 2011). The origins of this justification include traditional beliefs, laws, and individual abilities, which Weber uses to classify rightful power into three distinctive types.
Weber uses the ideal-type to highlight the instances in a society where hierarchy is maintained through a consensus. Subsequently, Weber classifies the domination of groups into three ideal-types (Ritzer, 2011). The first is traditional authority, whereby a leader’s legitimacy rests on a society’s beliefs and practices. In this case, religious customs dictate who should control the rest (Ritzer, 2011). An example is absolute monarchs, who ruled over various societies across the world.
The second type of authority is charismatic, in which case a ruler’s legality is due to exceptional abilities, such as excellent oratorical skills as was the case with Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Thirdly, there is the rational-legal authority, which is the most common method of justifiable domination in the current societies. As such, Weber’s ideal-types, traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal authorities, describe situations in society leadership where consensus is used to maintain the hierarchy.
In the rational-legal ideal-type, the legitimacy of governance rests on society’s confidence in the laws formulated by its members. Consequently, persons with power are required to gain control through means specified in the country’s legal code (Durkheim, 1952). An example is the president’s office, which has been occupied by different individuals elected by the people as stipulated in the United States’ Constitution. This leadership approach applies to many other countries which use a set of statutes to guide their operations and conduct.
To conclude, Weber’s analysis of power relations in society using the ideal-type provides an excellent examination of his concepts. Dissection of authority is relevant because of the recent rise of populist leaders across the globe. Weber describes legitimate authority as power which is seen by the ruler and his subjects to be justified. Moreover, he classifies legitimate authority according to the sources of the validity of their control, such as traditional beliefs, modern laws, and individuals’ exceptional abilities.
References
Durkheim, D. E. (1952). Suicide. In G. Simpson (Ed.), A study in sociology. Routledge & Kegan Paul.
Ritzer, G. (2011). Classical sociological theory (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill.