Examkin

Question

Difficulty: EasyAuthority: Definition, Scope, and Weberian Typology

According to Max Weber's typology of authority, which type of authority derives its legitimacy from obedience to codified laws, written rules, and constitutionally established offices?

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

Answer

Legal-rational authority is based on obedience to formal laws, impersonal rules, and constitutional positions.
Legal-rational authority rests on a belief in the legality of enacted rules and the right of those elevated to authority under such rules to issue commands (such as elected officials, civil servants, and judges in modern constitutional states).

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the core defining characteristic in the question stem
The stem specifies authority derived from 'codified laws, written rules, and constitutionally established offices'.
This establishes the source of legitimacy being tested.
2
Map the source of legitimacy to Weber's tripartite typology of authority
Max Weber classified authority into Traditional (customs), Charismatic (personal heroism/grace), and Legal-Rational (impersonal laws and bureaucracy).
Matching statutory rules and constitutional offices directly identifies legal-rational authority.

Key Concept

Weberian Typology of Authority
Rate this question

Topics

Authority: Definition, Scope, and Weberian Typology

More questions from this topic