Impact of Modernization on Polity“That institution in society that arranges for the distribution of power.”

Power & Authority

•Max Weber▫Power

The ability to have one’s own will prevail, even in the face of opposition from others

▫Authority Legitimate power Consent of the governed

Power & Authority

•Types of Authority (Weber)▫Charismatic

Unique personal power of exceptional individuals

▫Traditional Received from the past Conferred by birthright or higher authority Often unlimited

▫Rational-Legal (dominant in modern world) Incumbent in the office, not the person

Power & Authority Power by law v. tradition Restricted by explicit, universal, impersonal

rules▫To what do people consent?

From Feudalism to the Nation-State

•Feudalism (Traditional authority)▫Kingdoms v. nations▫Areas of land controlled by royalty▫Territories awarded to princes/vassals

Fiefdoms In exchange for oath of loyalty to monarch

▫Princes organized armies Divide up territory among serfs Oath of loyalty

From Feudalism to the Nation-State

•System was legitimated by divine right of kings▫Power "granted by God"▫Heirs, blood-lines▫Majority of people

No voice No mobility

•Political Revolutions of late 18th century▫Revolt against feudalism

From Feudalism to the Nation-State

▫Replaced by the nation-state Nation: geographically and politically

bounded territory state: organized apparatus of

government within that territory•Rational-legal authority: the state

▫State: governing body made up of either individuals themselves or their elected representatives

▫State embodies, carries out, "will of the people"

C. Wright Mills

•Power vastly enhanced, centralized•Important decisions made by the “Power

Elite”▫Leaders drawn from economic, military,

political sectors▫Interlocking boards of directors▫Shared backgrounds, social-psychological

orientation•Demise of democracy• http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8y06NSBBRtY&feature=player_embedded (Eisenhower)