Sociology Assignment

Maalouf 1
Roy Maalouf
Ms. Zeina Misk
9/10/2021
Types of Power and Status
Title: Types of Power and Status
Authors: HERBERT GOLDHAMER AND EDWARD A. SHILS
Date of Publication: September 1939
Journal Title: American Journal of Sociology
Publishing House: The University of Chicago Press
URL: https://www-jstor-org.ezproxy.lau.edu.lb:2443/stable/2769807?pq-
origsite=summon&seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents
 Power is the ability to influence other people’s behaviors.
 Three types of power exist which include: exercising power by force, by
domination, or by manipulation.
 Exercising power by force is when a person uses physical compulsion to influence
others. When using domination, power is having control over others in doing
whatever task is required. Lastly, manipulation is a misleading influence on
behavior that leads to unexpected action. (Goldhamer and Shils, p.171)
 Legitimate power is when a person has the right to rule or is “worthy” of ruling.
Its contradictory view is coercive power where power is created by the
threatening of individuals.
Maalouf 2
 Three subdivisions are found in legitimate power: legal, traditional, and
charismatic. Legal authority is when the legal system has power and not the ruler
himself. The system itself dictates what must be done. Traditional authority is
when power is ascribed and is strongly affiliated to customs and traditions.
Finally, charismatic authority is when the leader himself has leadership qualities
and people follow him. (Goldhamer and Shils, p.172)
 People do not entitle a leader as legitimate if they use aggression and force as an
act of domination. This could lead to disobedience or obedience depending on the
ruler’s legitimacy and the situation if ethical or not.
 A failed attempt of a ruler to exert power on his subordinates will lead to either a
substitute power, (an alternative method to achieve the original goal) which can
be by manipulation or by a kind gesture, or a sanction. Sanctions can be the
dispossession of assets or a punishment (penalty) for disobeying the ruler’s
command. A sanction in a form of a penalty motivates subordinates to act in an
opposing manner.
 Two types of power exist: unilateral and bilateral.
 Power can be measured by two different criteria: the number of people controlled
and the potential of power in different situations and behaviors. (Goldhammer and
Shils, p.177)
 Usually, power effectiveness does not lessen when a leader has many people
under his command unless he loses control over them. In that case, the
subordinates become of increasing power and have a say in commands.
Moreover, this leads to a bilateral power in which the power-holder can no longer
Maalouf 3
control his subordinates since they act on his behalf during commands. That’s
why it is near impossible to not have a bilateral power system when a large group
of subordinates works for a power-holder. There is a direct relationship between
the number of subordinates with power distribution.
Theory:
A bureaucratic theory is used in this article. Bureaucracy, according to Max
Weber, is a highly ordered, formalized, and impersonal entity. The bureaucratic
theory which was originally stated by Max Weber, who is the author of the
famous book “The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism”, affirms that the
most efficient way society can function is as a rigid and complex organization in
which it comprises of formal rules, a hierarchy of power, and an authority-
governing body. The bureaucratic theory includes many characteristics in which
three of which are found in this article which are task specialization, the
hierarchical authority of power, and rules and regulations. When talking about the
hierarchical authority of power, Weber distinguishes three different categories of
power which include traditional power, charismatic power, and legal power. A
combination of these characteristics made a legitimate ruler. He believed in this
division of classes for society to be as efficient as possible. Each layer must be
managed from bottom to top, in the most power and authority lies in the hands of
the top layer. His capitalistic point of view, which originated from a Protestant
outlook, led to the segregation of classes to purposely fulfill their duties and climb
up the ladder.
Maalouf 4
However, if we look at another point of view such as conflict theory, the ideas
conflict with Max Weber. Karl Marx believed that the hierarchy of power that
was essential in a bureaucracy was harmful to society. He claimed that the
governing elite holds the majority of power (the bourgeoisie) who use their power
to make themselves richer and make the poor poorer. This leads to an even greater
distance between social classes. Marx promotes a classless society where
everyone is equal. He also says that the working class should overthrow the ruling
class to have a fair way of life.
References:
Goldhamer, Herbert, and Edward A. Shils. “Types of Power and Status.” American Journal of
Sociology, vol. 45, no. 2, 1939, pp. 171–182., https://doi.org/10.1086/218263.

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Maalouf 1

Ms. Zeina Misk

Types of Power and Status

Title: Types of Power and Status

Authors: HERBERT GOLDHAMER AND EDWARD A. SHILS

Date of Publication: September 1939

Journal Title: American Journal of Sociology

Publishing House: The University of Chicago Press

 Power is the ability to influence other people’s behaviors.

 Three types of power exist which include: exercising power by force, by

 Exercising power by force is when a person uses physical compulsion to influence

whatever task is required. Lastly, manipulation is a misleading influence on

behavior that leads to unexpected action. (Goldhamer and Shils, p.171)

Its contradictory view is coercive power where power is created by the

 Three subdivisions are found in legitimate power: legal, traditional, and

when power is ascribed and is strongly affiliated to customs and traditions.

and people follow him. (Goldhamer and Shils, p.172)

act of domination. This could lead to disobedience or obedience depending on the

ruler’s legitimacy and the situation if ethical or not.

be by manipulation or by a kind gesture, or a sanction. Sanctions can be the

dispossession of assets or a punishment (penalty) for disobeying the ruler’s

command. A sanction in a form of a penalty motivates subordinates to act in an

 Two types of power exist: unilateral and bilateral.

subordinates become of increasing power and have a say in commands.

of subordinates works for a power-holder. There is a direct relationship between

the number of subordinates with power distribution.

A bureaucratic theory is used in this article. Bureaucracy, according to Max

Weber, is a highly ordered, formalized, and impersonal entity. The bureaucratic

which it comprises of formal rules, a hierarchy of power, and an authority-

governing body. The bureaucratic theory includes many characteristics in which

hierarchical authority of power, Weber distinguishes three different categories of

combination of these characteristics made a legitimate ruler. He believed in this

division of classes for society to be as efficient as possible. Each layer must be

was essential in a bureaucracy was harmful to society. He claimed that the

distance between social classes. Marx promotes a classless society where

class to have a fair way of life.

Sociology, vol. 45, no. 2, 1939, pp. 171–182., https://doi.org/10.1086/218263.

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