Understanding Social institution — Sociology STD 11 Humanities — Question
CBSE BoardEnglish MediumSTD 11 HumanitiesSociologyUnderstanding Social institution2 Marks
Question
Explain concept of authority.
✓
Answer
Authority is legitimate power. It is the exercise of will which is voluntarily accepted.
As legitimate power, authority is socially recognized and justified. It is, therefore, based on consent.
There are three main types of authorities or three main sources of legitimization of power:
Traditional authority: It is accepted by people out of habit. People accept the power of someone simply because it has been done so in the past. Traditional authority, therefore, rests on customs. It is not based on written laws. This authority is irrational and personal. For example, the authority of a king in a monarchy.
Charisma and authority: Here people accept the authority of a person due to extraordinary qualities of that individual. For example, Gandhi ji. This authority is neither customary nor is it based on written laws. It is both irrational and personal.
Legal rational authority: Here the power and privileges are clearly defined and limited by written rules or law. The actual power lies not in the person who wields it, but in the position that he/ she occupies. Eg. the authority of the Prime Minister in democracy.
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