Distinguish among power, prestige and authority. What are the different ways in which an authority may gain legitimacy? Why does a changing society face crises of legitimacy?

Power according to Max Weber is the ability of a person or a group of men to realize their will in a communal action even against the opposition of others involved in it. Prestige refers to the social standing of a person- the honour that is accorded to him by the society. Prestige may be a result of holding power. But it may also be due to individual qualities, lifestyle. It is not necessary for a person holding power to be held in prestige. For example the neo-rich hold power by virtue of money but they are held in low prestige. Weber defines authority as that form of power which is accepted as legitimate, right and just and is obeyed by the subjects. e.g. Bureaucracy is an authority which is legitimate in the governance of society.

Following are the three different ways in which an authority may gain legitimacy – 

1. Traditional Authority – the legitimacy of the authority that comes through the inherited authority. e.g. Kings in Britain, patriarchy is Indian society etc are the example which are there existing in society traditionally.
2. Charismatic Authority – the legitimacy of this authority comes by the leadership, heroism and charisma of the personality. The legitimacy sustained till the charismatic person exists or till the followers legitimize him as charismatic. E.g.- Mahatma Budhha, Bhagwan Mahavir, Mahatma Gandhi were the charismatic personalities.
3. Legal-Rational Authority – the legitimacy is based on the rules and regulations. E.g. the Authority of democratic government of India is given legitimacy by the people of India.

Changing society faces the crisis of legitimacy due to following reasons-

Despotic rule of traditional emperor leads to alienation of people and breach of trust, consequently revolution may occur and they throw away their dictatorship or emperorship Eg. Arab Spring. The moral and value erosion of charismatic individuals. E.g. Asharam Bapu, Swami Nityanand. Economic - crisis, political and social causes. E.g. Scotland’s alienation from British empire.

Further crises of legitimacy may be what durkheim call as anomie, marx call as alienation or merton call as deviance. So try to include that. :)