ABSTRACT
The authority relation is unstable to the extent that it may shift from one type to another. Such shifts occur more frequently in cases where, as in our own societies, the three types exist simultaneously. The authority that we recognize in many rules is strictly traditional. We have followed them for so long that we have decided not to question them any more. There are also watchwords and slogans that we accept with enthusiasm. However, most attention is placed-and perhaps this is currently a little excessive-on rational-legal authority. There are two reasons for this. First, this type of authority is so much in evidence in the context of the professions and formal organizations which are so apparent in the modern world. Second, its basis can be found in the rationalist conception of legitimacy which our civilization is so fond of claiming as one of its principal characteristics. It is tempting to conclude that authority (in the general sense) tends to be confused with the idealtype of rational-legal authority. But in fact this is no more than a tendency which is itself in conflict with a number of others, even if it does not produce tensions which are particularly severe.
