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Week 7

Our society consists of many different social organizations that

are inevitably related to each other. The basis unit of these

organizations is the family, from which we base kinship.

We are able to learn the different kinds of kinship, as well as

their importance and their effect on the society.

Aside from family, another known part of our social

organization are the political and leadership structures. Politics is

defined broadly as the activities, associated with the governance of a

country.

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Analyze social and political institutions

2. Understand the impact of the existence of the social and

political institutions in our society

3. Learn about the different kinds of authority and legitimac y

practiced in politics

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Political Organization

A political organization refers to any organization that is

involved in the political process. This includes political parties, non-

governmental organizations (NGOs), advocacy groups, and special

interest groups.

Nowadays, political organizations are known for their

involvement with activities related to politics.

Types of Political Organization

Political organizations exist in every country, as they are

essential in managing public affairs, maintaining social order, and

resolving conflict. But as there are varying societies, different politica l

systems have been developed to suit their needs.

Bands

Bands are the smallest of the four types of politica l

organizations. It is usually a small group connected by family ties and

is politically independent. They are most often found in foraging

societies or groups of hunter-gatherers.

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As they are often small and are often a nomadic group,

bands usually have little or lack formal leadership. Their decisions are

often based on group consensus rather than the command of a central

governing official. For this, they are often referred to as egalitar ia n

societies, or societies which all persons of the same age and gender are

seen as equals.

Tribes

Tribes are larger compared to band societies. It is often

described as a combination of smaller kin or non-kin groups which are

united by a common culture.

While tribal organizations are larger compared to bands, they too

are egalitarian by nature. They lack centralized political leadership.

Tribe elders are often assigned to manage clan affairs such as settling

disputes and negotiation with other clans, but they do not hold politica l

offices.

Chiefdom

Unlike the first two political organizations, the chiefdom is

governed by a governing body, aptly called a chief. The chief and his

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family holds political power over the rest of the society, which now

consists of more than one community.

Chiefdom is not egalitarian, but have social rank, where the chief

and his family are the highest. It is a political organization that involves

a more formal and permanent political structure compared to tribal and

band organizations.

State

According to the German sociologist Max Weber, a state is a

compulsory political organization with a centralized government that

maintains a monopoly of the legitimate use of force within a certain

territory.

In politics, a state refers to an organized political community that

is living under a single system of government which governs a large

population, with a hierarchy of differing political positions and the

power to enforce decisions. They are the largest of the four politica l

organizations. They are the most commonly seen political organiza tio n

nowadays.

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Authority and Legitimacy

Political organizations have lasted because they follow certain

guidelines or regulations to ensure that political processes are going

smoothly.

Authority is the concept of right to issue and, using coercive

power, to enforce a command. It is not to be identified with persuasion

and influence. An example would be the state, which has the authority

to make laws which are obeyed by the citizens.

Authority is exercised not just within a political organizatio n,

but among other social organizations as well. There is parental authority

which is often exercised by families. The parents have the authority over

their children, as they are the ones to allocate economic and non-

economic essentials, as well as implement rules within their home.

Legitimacy originated from the Latin word “legitimare”,

meaning to “declare, lawful”. According to Weber, it is “the basis of

every system of authority, and correspondingly of every kind of

willingness to obey, is a belief, a belief by virtue of which persons

exercising authority are lent prestige.”

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Simply put, legitimacy refers to the popular acceptance of a

government, or any system of authority.

Gaining legitimacy is considered a basic condition of rule

among authorities. Without it, a governing regime is likely to collapse.

Weber’s Theory of Authority

Weber classified three types of legitimate rule: traditio na l,

charismatic, and rational- legal.

Traditional Authority is a type of authority that is legitimated by

the sanctity of tradition or custom. An example of this are monarchies

and tribes, where authority is, by tradition, either patriarchal or

matriarchal.

This type of legitimate rule tends not to change overtime.

Moreover, it does not facilitate social change. In feudal Europe, for

example, kings gained authority simply because their fathers had been

kings. And as it has been a tradition to have a king as a ruler, subjects

did not question this kind of authority.

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Charismatic Authority, on the other hand, is authority made

legitimate by a leader with a mission and vision that inspires others.

Weber defined a charismatic leader as an individual that has

extraordinary characteristics. He or she can be a head of a new social

movement or someone instilled with supernatural powers, such as a

religious prophet. By this definition, we can say that religio us

organizations such as Christianism and Islam are established by

charismatic authority.

Lastly, the Legal-Rational Authority (also known as Rational

Authority) refers to a form of leadership made legitimate by legal

rationality or legal legitimacy. Its legitimacy is derived from the power

of the content of law or natural law.

The best example of rational authority according to Weber

would be bureaucracy (political and economic). This type of authority

is apparent in modern states and city governments, as well as in

voluntary associations, private and public corporations.

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References:

Political Organization. Retrieved from:

http://www.zeepedia.com/read.php?political_organization_bands_triba

l_organizations_chiefdoms_cultural_anthropology&b=98&c=25

Political Organization: Bands, Tribes, Chiefdoms, & States. Retrieved

from: http://study.com/academy/lesson/political-organizations-bands-

tribes-chiefdoms-states.html

Authority and Legitimacy. Michael Lacewing. Retrieved from:

http://cw.routledge.com/textbooks/alevelphilosophy/data/AS/WhySho

uldIBeGoverned/Authorityandlegitimacy.pdf

Traditional Authority. Boundless. Retrieved from:

https://www.boundless.com/sociology/textbooks/boundless-sociology-

textbook/government-15/politics-power-and-authority-112/traditional-

authority-622-8158/

Max Weber: Traditional, Legal-Rational, and Charismatic Authority.

Retrieved from: http://danawilliams2.tripod.com/authority.html

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