What is authority?

Authority is a kind of voluntary obedience and support to power. People's obedience to power arrangement may be forced, but obedience to authority arrangement belongs to recognition. Opponents may have to obey the arrangement made by powerful works, but obedience does not mean approval. Authority is regarded as a legal power, and it can also be said that it is a prestige with great public influence.

As one of the most important founders of public administration, Max Weber believes that the formation, governance and domination of any organization are based on certain authority, and appropriate authority can eliminate chaos and bring order; Without authority, an organization cannot achieve its organizational goals. He put forward three forms of political rule and authority, namely, traditional authority, charismatic authority and rational and legal authority.

Traditional authority:

This is a correct form of leadership that relies heavily on tradition or custom. Leaders have the traditional and legal right to exercise power. More importantly, traditional authority is the foundation of feudal and hereditary systems, such as tribes and monarchies. This force is not conducive to social change, and it is often irrational and inconsistent.

Charm authority:

When a leader's mission and vision can inspire others, thus forming his power base and producing charismatic authority, faithful obedience to charismatic leaders and their legitimacy are often based on faith. They may be imbued with divine or supernatural forces, such as religious prophets, war heroes or revolutionary leaders.

Rational legal authority:

This is the exercise of authority on the basis of rationality and legal provisions. Obedience is not because of faith or worship, but because of the power given to leaders by rules. Therefore, the rational use of legal power can form an objective, concrete and organized structure, which is the basis of bureaucracy.