What are the five types of constituted authority

1 answer

Constituted authority refers to the recognized, officially established bodies or individuals that hold legitimate power and are responsible for making and enforcing rules and policies within a society or organization. Five common types of constituted authority are:

1. **Legal/Rational Authority**:
- **Definition**: Authority based on a system of rules and norms that are legally established and widely accepted.
- **Examples**: Elected officials, government institutions, judicial systems.

2. **Traditional Authority**:
- **Definition**: Authority derived from customs, traditions, and long-established cultural practices.
- **Examples**: Monarchies, tribal leaders, religious institutions that follow historical precedent.

3. **Charismatic Authority**:
- **Definition**: Authority rooted in the personal qualities, charisma, and leadership abilities of a particular individual.
- **Examples**: Revolutionary leaders, religious prophets, influential political figures like Nelson Mandela or Mahatma Gandhi.

4. **Expertise/Professional Authority**:
- **Definition**: Authority based on specialized knowledge or professional expertise in a particular field.
- **Examples**: Medical professionals, academic scholars, engineers, and scientists.

5. **Organizational/Corporate Authority**:
- **Definition**: Authority that arises from a person's position within a structured organization or corporation.
- **Examples**: CEOs, managers, company board members, and other corporate officers.

These types of authority often overlap and interact within societies, organizations, and institutions, shaping the dynamics of governance and social control.