Weber

Question 1

What is power, according to Weber?

Answer 1

The ability of one or more people to realize their own will in a social action even against the resistance of others.

Question 2

What is class, according to Weber?

Answer 2

People who share the same or similar economic interests and life chances; Similar level of control over skills and goods, and the income they can make from them.

Question 3

What are the three types of classes, according to Weber?

Answer 3

1. Property Class - based on differences in people’s property
2. Commercial Class - based on differences in the marketability of the skills and services people control
3. Social Class - based on a person’s market position and their access to market opportunities

Question 4

What are the types of social class, according to Weber?

Answer 4

1. Privileged through property
2. property-less intelligentsia
3. petty bourgeoisie
4. working class

Question 5

What is status, according to Weber?

Answer 5

An effective claim to social esteem which dictates one’s position in the social order and gives them prestige and honor.

Question 6

What is traditional legitimacy, according to Weber?

Answer 6

Customs and longstanding practices prompt obedience; Authority is inherited or passed down

Question 7

What is charismatic legitimacy, according to Weber?

Answer 7

The personal charm and ‘exceptional’ qualities of a leader prompts obedience driven by devotion, faith, or emotional attachment.

Question 8

What is legal/legal-rational legitimacy, according to Weber?

Answer 8

Obedience stems from the belief in a system of rationally created laws. Thus, leaders are obeyed because they occupy a legal office and not because of who they are personally.

Question 9

What is needed to maintain domination, according to Weber?

Answer 9

A leader needs an obedient executive staff and control of material goods necessary for governance.

Question 10

What is the modern state, according to Weber?

Answer 10

A human community that successfully claims the monopoly of the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory.

Question 11

What are the characteristics of a bureaucracy?

Answer 11

1. Legal-Rational Authority
2. Leadership is formalized and fixed in the positions themselves.
3. Authority is based on position, not the person.
4. Officials are selected based on ability.
5. Impersonal
6. Decisions of the state are based on rational rules instead of tradition and arbitrary rule.
7. Rules standardize operations, ensuring consistency.
8. Officials are trained and specialized professionals.