Question 2: Max Weber's model of bureaucracy

2a. What three types of authority did Weber identify? Explain each. Give
an example of each type of authority that you have witnessed in a
modern organization.
2b. Which type of authority did Weber advocate for effective
organizational functioning? (Refer to the Readings for Lesson 2.) Why did
Weber consider this type of authority preferable? Do you agree with
Weber? Explain your answer.

The three types of authority identified by Weber are legal authority,

traditional authority and charismatic authority.
Legal authority is driven by a set of rules. Workers, he
contended, perceive these rules as necessary and band believe that the
rules protect them from arbitrary, potentially harmful treatment by
powerful persons who might otherwise abuse them. (Andrews and
Herschel, p.34) An example of legal authority would be any government
type of work. One that comes to mind as a modern organization would be
the DMV; the workers need to follow a set of rules to allow people to have
a Drivers License or identification.
Traditional authority is used more in a hierarchical culture
where tradition is more celebrated. The ability to rule and pass down
traditions gives the traditional authority continuity. I think of Greek
fraternities and sororities as an example of traditional authority because
they have traditions, rituals, and ceremonies passed down as an
organization.
Charismatic authority involves people that have strong
personalities and lead an organization on a mission. Weber argues,
people respond to their leaders because they seem to have some higher
power. (Andrews and Herschel, p.34) Charismatic authority varies
depending on a social, religious, or political aspect. From a religious view
an example charismatic authority would be the Pope, or even today
Prophet Thomas S. Monson from the LDS organization.
Weber advocated for legal authority for effective organizational
functioning. Weber believed in an organization maintaining rules and

structure. Reading the text, Weber believed workers were to know what
was expected of them like the formalized rules, regulations and
procedures however he considered those in leadership positions to
exhibit rationality.
I agree with Weber to an extent. I believe rules and regulations give
structure and its important to know what is expected of you to run an
organization smoothly. I also believe its not solely dependent on one
person to run an organization even though they may have authority, I
believe there is a individual responsibility, too. For example if we were to
receive a Earthquake warning or tornado warning would you be
dependent on someone with higher authority like the government to
rescue you or would you think to be prepared for something severe like a
storm? Perhaps a natural disaster is dramatic but thats where I agree
with Weber to an extent, rules are made for a reason but when we rely on
higher authority and rules to dictate, we dont have room to think
independently.