Modes of Authority (legitimate domination)
 

Max Weber identifies three types of authority

          Traditional authority  – the right to rule derives from custom. Certain kinds of people have always ruled
          through history.

          Rational-legal authority  –  the right to rule is identified with certain offices that are legally constituted,
          no matter who may occupy those offices. The authority is invested in the position, not the person.

          Charismatic authority  –   the right to rule is rooted in the display of exceptional abilities by an
          individual. These abilities are thought to be divinely (or supernaturally) granted or inspired.
 

Weber’s definition of charisma

The term charisma will be applied to a certain quality of an individual personality, by virtue of which (s)he is set apart from ordinary people and treated as endowed with supernatural, or at least specifically exceptional powers or qualities. These are not accessible to the ordinary person, but are regarded as of divine origin or as exemplary, and on the basis of them the individual concerned is treated as a leader.

Characteristics of charismatic authority

1. Charisma is rooted in the exceptional qualities or powers of an individual. Although Weber’s definition suggests inherent qualities, he makes it clear that charisma is really something that people attribute to someone. It is a quality that people perceive on the basis of certain identifiable behaviors.

2. Charismatic abilities are supernaturally inspired.

3. Charisma rests on a relationship of great emotional intensity, which typically leads followers to place an extraordinary measure of trust and faith in their leader. Charismatic leaders are deemed to be more visionary in their style of leadership, and more emotionally expressive.

4. Groups formed on the basis of charismatic authority tend to display unusually high levels of cohesion and
commitment.They make the sacrifices and demand them from others.

5. Charismatic leadership is neither intrinsically good nor evil

6. Charismatic leadership is intrinsically unstable and is antithetical to social order. The leader  must understand how to manipulate cultural themes to enhance his or her status. Often relatively small deeds of daring are made to appear much grander in scope and meaning through staged events and other mythical claims.

7. Charismatic authority in its pure form exists only at the stage of originating organization

8. In contrast to traditional or rational-legal leaders, charismatic leaders must sustain their own legitimacy. There is not support from custom or established institutions.

Institutionalization of Charisma

Charisma is transferred to the ideology or organization

A procedure for choosing successors is sacralized

Designation by previous leader

Divinely sanctioned election

Hereditary succession

 Successive leaders do not typically possess as much personal charisma