Slumblog 4

This week we discussed Max Weber, who is a theorist that discuses bureaucratization and the rationalization of modern society. Weber discuses power, authority and its forms. He defines power as domination and the likelihood that demands are going to be obeyed. He then defines authority as legitimate domination. Weber then breaks authority into three different forms, rational, traditional, and charismatic. Rational is a from of authority referring to written documents, such as laws. Traditional is a from of authority referring to  gender roles, marriage, family religion; rules set inside of these traditions. Charismatic authority refers to society being swept up by rules set by charismatic people. Examples of people that rule with a  charismatic authority approach would be Hitler, Obama, Ghandi, etc.

I found it really interesting how Weber was able to break down the authority concept into three different categories. All three of these categories can easily be found in today's society. However, Weber goes on to make a point that the rational form of authority is overtaking the traditional authority. I find this to be completely true in today's society. There are endless examples of how society is steering further and further away from traditional authority. As a society, we are no longer living our lives according to rules set by our religion or gender roles, and are switching over to following the written laws of our government. For example, a while back there was controversy on whether or not "under God" should be in our pledge of allegiance or not anymore. Some people are saying this is a rule that was set by our traditional religious side. Whether or not we should take "under God" out of our pledge is irrelevant here, but this example alone shows how society is starting to question our traditional means of rule following and starting to lean more toward a rational one.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/09/04/20327848-pledge-of-allegiance-challenged-in-massachusetts-supreme-court?lite Here is the article that talks more in detail about the pledge of allegiance debate.