Political Concepts of Power and Authority

What is Power? Political power, is the ability to make and carry out decisions, is dependent on certain sources of power. The exercise of power therefore involves such processes as force, coercion, manipulation, bargaining or persuasion.

What is Authority? Authority suggests consent and legitimacy. Power suggests force violence and a lack of consent. It is useful to remember the phrase: “Authority is legitimate power”.

What makes authority legitimate? According to Max Weber (Sociologist) people give their consent to the rule of three different types of authority: Charismatic Traditional Legal Rational

Charismatic Authority People consent o be ruled by people with special human qualities. Such qualities inspire loyalty and obedience. Examples throughout history include: Napoleon Hitler Gandhi

Traditional Authority Some people accept the power and rule of others because there is a long standing tradition of things being like that. King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette could be said to have traditional authority. Similarly a society that venerates age (where elders rule) often does so on the grounds of tradition.

Rational Legal Authority In modern societies authority is made legitimate by the acceptance of an established set of sensible rules, laws and procedures by the majority of the population. For example the authority of Parliament and the Prime Minster. Most people and organizations in authority have elements of all three of Max Weber’s different types of authority.

Hobbes & Locke Hobbes and Locke were both 17th century English Philosophers Both lived through the English civil war and had their thinking shaped by it and its aftermath They are both known best for examining the question of should absolute monarchies be allowed to exist

Styles of Government Hobbes Locke Absolute Monarchy Fascism Dictatorship Democracy Capitalism

Human Nature Hobbes Locke Believed that people were wicked, selfish, and cruel Believed that people would act on behalf of their best interests. “Every man for every man”. Believed that people were by nature good and that they could learn from their experiences.

Human Rights Hobbes Locke People are born with rights that they relinquish to the monarch in return for protection. This is known as social contract. All people are born with certain inalienable rights. They are life, liberty, and the right to own property.

Purpose of Government Hobbes Locke The purpose of the government was to keep law and order. The purpose of the government is to protect individual liberties and rights.

Role of Society in Government Hobbes Locke People could be trusted to govern themselves and an absolute monarch would demand obedience in to maintain order. People could be trusted to govern themselves. Locke believed that if provided with the right information would make good decisions.

Changing Government Hobbes Locke Because people had no say in their government, they could do nothing if the monarch were abusive. The people had the right to revolt against an abusive government.

Hobbes, Locke and the French Revolution Who do you agree with more Hobbes or Locke? Why? How do you think Hobbes’ and Locke’s philosophies influenced the French Revolution?

The End