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Question

Difficulty: MediumPower: Definition, Sources, Forms, and Acquisition

A community leader commands widespread obedience and respect from citizens not through any constitutional mandate or physical coercion, but purely due to his extraordinary personal magnetism, exemplary character, and heroic achievements. Which form of power is demonstrated in this scenario?

  1. Charismatic powerAnswer
  2. B
    Coercive power
  3. C
    Legal-rational authority
  4. D
    Traditional authority

Answer

The correct answer is charismatic power, as obedience is gained through the leader's unique personal appeal and character rather than formal laws or force.
Charismatic power is founded on devotion to an individual's extraordinary personal charm, exemplary character, or heroism. In this scenario, followers comply voluntarily because of the leader's compelling personality and achievements rather than legal rights or physical force.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the basis of compliance described in the scenario.
Citizens obey the leader based on admiration for personal magnetism, exemplary character, and heroic acts without constitutional sanction or force.
Understanding the source of compliance helps categorize the precise form of power.
2
Map the observed basis of compliance to standard forms of political power.
Power derived from personal appeal and extraordinary individual qualities is defined as charismatic power.
Distinguishing personal magnetism from legal offices, traditional customs, and force identifies the correct concept.

Key Concept

Forms and Sources of Political Power
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Topics

Power: Definition, Sources, Forms, and Acquisition

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