17 types of authority and their characteristics

There are several types of authority although in everyday life we ​​do not notice it so clearly.. Although they all have in common the fact that they generate norms or patterns of behavior, what is different is the source from which this power emanates to define lines to follow. In the same way, the reasons why it is obeyed are different in each case.

In general terms, authority can be defined as the power that a person or an institution exercises over others. This power has, in turn, different scopes. This depends precisely on the types of authority: the impact of a mother’s order is not the same as that of a legal norm.

The consequences of disobeying different types of authority also vary. This, of course, is closely related to the degree of power of each of them. Much of our life It is defined by the way we relate to authority. Hence, it is important to know the different ways of manifestation of these powers and the effect that each of them has on us.

1. Formal authority

Formal is one of the most common types of authority. It corresponds to those people or institutions that exercise power and influence depending on the position they occupy or the activity they carry out. Its effectiveness basically stems from its ability to impose rewards and punishments.

This is the most basic form of authority. It is imposed and not freely chosen or necessarily recognized. Precisely for this reason, it is also one of the types of authority that contains the most potential for conflict. As long as it is imposed, it could engender a lack of real recognition.

2. Moral, one of the most recognized types of authority

This type of authority is practically the opposite of the previous one. In this case, the power of the person or entity is recognized, even if socially or collectively they do not hold a position or a position that grants him influence as such.

In this type of authority, what matters is the subjective approval or sanction and not exactly the reward or punishment. Power is granted to that authority based on respect that generates. The source of your influence is your values, your experience, your knowledge, etc.

3. Charismatic

It is similar to moral authority, but In this case the source of influence comes directly from the leader’s personality or personal charm.. This is not necessarily a paragon of virtues, but rather it exerts a great power of attraction on others. That is why they follow him and obey him.

Obviously, this type of authority must be accompanied by personal skills in the leader. However, These virtues are not necessarily ethical or moral.. Sometimes it is just a special social skill or a certain skill in certain activities.

4. Coercive

This is one of the most harmful types of authority, since It does not arise from position or personal conditions, but from the use of force in some sense.. The source of power is fear and generally corresponds to an arbitrary exercise of rules and precepts.

It is the type of authority that is exercised through criminal actions. It is usually a form of counterpower. That is, rules are imposed that go in the opposite direction to established laws or customarily accepted customs. This is a perverse exercise of authority.

5. Democratic

It is one of the healthiest and most valued types of authority. It starts from a formal authority, but is implemented in such a way that it becomes moral authority as well. In this way of exercising power, the fundamental thing is the rules and not the people who enforce them. In turn, these standards are the result of the collective agreement.

In this case, authority is shared collectively. For obvious reasons, not everyone has the same degree of influence, but they do have it to some extent. It is a form of authority in which the interest of the majority takes precedence, without ignoring the interests of the minority.. Although it is never perfect, it is the healthiest form of authority.

7. Legal

It is one that is based on laws to be exercised. There is no physical figure, such as a person, but rather the capacity of the people who enforce these laws is judged. in terms of its consistency and effectiveness. The positive or negative quality depends on the context, the laws themselves and their execution.

8. Rational authority

It refers to the authority that emanates from the norms that society perceives as appropriate. It is what is commonly known as social norms, conventions or, colloquially, common sense. They are obeyed by the rationality that is extracted from them and by the order they bring to groups of people.

9. Traditional

It is the authority that resides in traditions, since it is a power that is based on custom. Although many people find it irrational (since its justification is based on “it has always been this way”), many others find security in following this type of authority, as it conveys consistency and effectiveness.

10. Casual

Here there is no authoritarian figure that is clearly regulated at a legal level. Therefore, said authority circulates among the people who make up a group. Although it may seem chaotic, it is born from acceptance and consensus, so it is rare for conflicts to arise in this regard.

11. Operating authority

In this case, the decisions made do not have direct consequences on the people in a group, since it is a type of authority that affects only actions and themes. There is a leader in charge of carrying them out and he is trusted so that he does not fail.

12. Administrative

In administrative authority, the group is not subordinated to a leader because of its own characteristics, but rather because it represents the exercise of rules. Therefore, it is assumed that these rules are correct and fair and the mandate of those who impose them is followed.

13. Linear authority

This type of authority is what prevails in power hierarchies. With it all the members of an organizational chart are linked, in which the orders of the person directly above them on the scale of power are followed.

14. Familiar

Family authority is that which is limited to said social nucleus. The goal is usually the protection of close loved ones, subsistence, and raising offspring. It changes over time, since parents will stop exercising their authority over their children when they are independent.

15. Professional authority

It is about the authority that emanates from the knowledge and skills that each person has in their professional field. To give an example, the orders of a doctor will be followed more frequently than those of a family member in health matters, since it is assumed that the doctor knows more about the subject.

16. Inconsistent

Inconsistent authority is built from ambiguity and contradiction. That is, it is exercised in an unclear manner, the orders and instructions are continually changed, as are the possible consequences or sanctions in case of disobedience.

Therefore, by not being consistent over time and continually contradicting itself, It is a type of authority that generates distrust and discomfort. It is common for it to cause outbreaks of disobedience and confrontations with authority figures.

17. Permissive

Finally, when talking about permissive authority, we could ask ourselves the question of whether this really is a type of authority. It is characterized precisely by the absence of clearly defined guidelines or limitations.so that whoever is within this relationship system can do whatever they want, without anticipating sanctions or fearing consequences.

All of us are subject, in one way or another, to some authority. That submission generates some level of frustration. However, these hierarchies are fundamental for us to live in society, peacefully and constructively.

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