Typology of Authority

The typology of authority refers to different ways power and influence are organized in societies. Max Weber identified three main types:Traditional authority, which is based on long-standing customs and beliefs (like monarchy); charismatic authority, granted to individuals with exceptional personal qualities (such as revolutionary leaders); and rational-legal authority, rooted in established laws and rules, typical of modern governments and organizations. These categories help us understand how leaders gain obedience and how authority is maintained across different social and political contexts.