Tipos de Autoridad en Política

Types of Authority in Politics

Introduction

Political power and authority are central concepts in the study of politics. Authority refers to the accepted and supported power of a government or leader, while political power encompasses the ability to make a state or person act or think in a way that is contrary to how they would have acted or thought without the exercise of power. There are various theories that contribute to our understanding of political power and authority, and these can be categorized into three broad types: elitist, pluralist, and bureaucratic.

Elitist Authority

The elitist theory of authority posits that power in politics is held by a small group of individuals, typically the upper class or ruling elite. This group is seen as having the most resources and, as a result, the most political power. The justification for this type of authority is based on the idea that those with the most resources are best equipped to make decisions for the rest of society. This type of authority is often associated with the works of thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and Karl Marx, who argued for a strong central government to maintain law and order and protect the rights of citizens.

Pluralist Authority

The pluralist theory of authority suggests that political power is not held by a single elite but is distributed among various groups in society. This theory emphasizes the importance of interest groups, political parties, and other organizations in shaping political decision-making. According to this view, power is not held by the individual elite but rather by the collective influence of these groups. This type of authority is seen in the works of Niccolò Machiavelli, who advocated for the use of force and deception to maintain control, and Sun Tzu, who emphasized the importance of knowing the landscape and using unconventional strategies for decision-making.

Bureaucratic Authority

The bureaucratic theory of authority focuses on the role of institutions, such as government agencies and corporations, in wielding political power. Bureaucratic authority is based on the idea that these institutions have the ability to interpret and implement policies and laws, giving them significant influence over political decision-making. This type of authority is often associated with the works of social theorists like Steven Lukes, who has argued for a three-dimensional view of power that includes the ability to set the agenda and the covert exercise of power.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are three main types of authority in politics: elitist, pluralist, and bureaucratic. Each theory provides a different perspective on how political power is distributed and how it is exercised. While elitist authority emphasizes the role of the ruling elite, pluralist authority highlights the influence of various groups in society, and bureaucratic authority focuses on the role of institutions in shaping political decision-making. These theories contribute to our understanding of political power and the various ways in which it can be exercised in the political arena.