ABSTRACT
Symbolic power contains at least five components, such as, identification or inclusion, interests, action, moral fulfillment and authority. The component of authority measures whether people believe that the politician in question is a leader. The other components measure whether they are drawn to his kind of leadership. In truth, in any corporate enterprise, from a college faculty to Joe Namath and the offensive unit of the New York Jets, confidence in leadership is a mature and realistic desideratum. Since in their own symbolic world educated liberals have aversion to the daily realities of authority, more confusions exist concerning this component than any other. What makes some people feel secure with one leader and others insecure is sometimes a function not of his authority but of his identity, interests, and actions. Bobby Kennedy was adjudged "ruthless" and all too capable of acting with authority, but it cannot be said everyone felt secure at the prospect of his election.
