Formal and Rational Authority: Some Notes, Hypotheses and Applications

Abstract

Talcott Parsons questioned the analytic precision of Max Weber's legal-rational type of authority in bureaucratic organizations. It is proposed that two separate types should be istinguished: rational and legal (or formal) authority. The basis of legitimation for the first is the effective utility of the person in authority, i.e. his technical competence to perform. On the other hand, legal authority is invested in an individual on the basis of a normative or legal structure. Another difference between the owo rests on the premise that formal authority derives from the organization, whereas rational authority may find its source of legitimation outside the organization. In the case of formal authority, the organization defines the boundaries within which domination is exercised. For rational authority, the power utilized depends on the capability of the individual to accomplish effective action. UtiliZing these two types of authority as dimensions, Dahrendorf's conflict model may be employed to predict the nature of the relationships between two authority figures. A typology of authority types may be derived.