3.5a Types of Power

Charismatic authority stems from an inspiring personality who convinces others to follow. For example, historical social movement leaders, such as Martin Luther King Jr., and religious leaders, such as Jesus Christ and the Prophet Muhammad, possessed charismatic authority. Ideological power, also known as cultural power, refers to the ability to influence ideas and is often obtained through charismatic authority.

Photo 3.16

Martin Luther King Jr. Had Charismatic Authority

The media and religion are two social institutions with ideological or cultural influence. Media technologies, including the printing press, radio, television, and the Internet, have helped spread the messages of many modern charismatic religious leaders. For example, televangelists are Christian ministers who spread their religious messages far beyond their congregation by using television, radio, and social media. In many cases, religious groups and media organizations overlap. For instance, the Christian Broadcasting Network was founded in 1960 to produce and air Christian-themed entertainment and ministry.

Economic power is control over financial resources. These resources include ownership of the means of production and the ability to give others employment or monetary aid. Individuals, organizations, or governments may hold economic power. A government, such as that of the United States, can use its economic power by providing or withholding aid to other governments to get those governments to do what the U.S. wants. For example, the United States has banned the importation of Russian oil and cut off Russian banks from the U.S. financial system, in an attempt to use its economic power to defend Ukraine against Russian aggression (U.S. Department of State, 2024).

Political power is the power to make and enforce laws. Political power may stem from traditional or legal-rational authority. Traditional authority is based on customs or how things have always been done. For example, a monarch (a king or queen) has traditional authority as do parents. The authority that stems from political power in the United States is legal-rational authority. Legal-rational authority is based on written rules or laws and is tied to the position rather than the person. For instance, the president of the United States has the authority to fulfill the duties of the office. After leaving office, the president no longer has presidential authority.

Governments and the subgroups that comprise them, such as political parties, also possess political power. Laws, however, prescribe the boundaries of the government’s power. Therefore, ideological organizations (with specific political, social, or moral agendas), and corporate organizations invest in lobbying government officials so that laws are passed that benefit their interests. Research by economists finds that corporate organizations that invest in lobbying earn higher returns on their stocks as a result (Grotteria, 2024). For corporations, lobbying can lead to favorable legislation, government contracts, protection against negative policy change, and reduced competition.

Military power includes the ability to use violence or physical force to ensure compliance with laws, norms, or decrees issued by leaders or officials. It can include the use of the military, the police, or both. Those who hold political power typically also have military power, but not always.