Sociological Perspectives on Power & Authority | Sociology for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Key Thinker: Weber (1947) on Power & Authority

Sociologists and Power Relationships

Sociologists examine power dynamics in society, focusing on inequalities in power among individuals and groups. Max Weber (1947), a prominent early sociologist, studied power extensively, defining it as the ability of an individual or group to achieve their goals despite resistance from others. Weber viewed power as the capacity to influence others, even against their will.

Sources of Power

Weber identified two primary sources of power: coercion and authority.

• Coercion involves using force or threats, such as violence or torture, to compel obedience. People comply because they feel they have no alternative. For example, an abuser threatening violence to access their partner’s phone exercises coercive power.
• Authority occurs when people willingly obey because they believe it is legitimate. No force is needed as individuals consent to the exercise of power. For instance, students willingly respond to a teacher’s questions in class, recognizing the teacher’s authority.

Sources of Authority

Weber outlined three types of authority, based on the legitimacy recognized by those under it:

1. Traditional Authority: Rooted in custom and tradition, such as the authority of a monarchy, which people accept due to long-standing practices.
2. Rational-Legal Authority: Based on acceptance of a system of laws or rules, often within a bureaucratic structure with clear hierarchies. For example, prison inmates accept the authority of prison officers because they understand the consequences of breaking rules.
3. Charismatic Authority: Derived from a leader’s exceptional personal qualities, inspiring obedience. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr., who led the American civil rights movement, exemplify this type due to their ability to inspire social change.

Weber noted that authority often combines elements of these types. For example, a teacher may have rational-legal authority but also inspire students, incorporating charismatic authority.

Marxist Perspectives on Power

Marxist theories link power to social class dynamics. The bourgeoisie, who control the means of production (e.g., land, factories, machinery), hold economic power, which translates into political power. Marxists argue that the bourgeoisie use this power to exploit the proletariat (working class).

Feminist Perspectives on Power

Feminist approaches critique Marxist and Weberian theories for overlooking gender as a key factor in power dynamics. They emphasize patriarchy as a system where men dominate society, holding greater wealth, status, and influence in politics and workplaces. Women face barriers like the "glass ceiling," which limits their access to top positions and earnings. Women are also underrepresented in roles such as political leaders, decision-makers, and senior judges in Britain.

Key Thinker: Walby (1990) on Patriarchy

Feminist sociologist Sylvia Walby (1990) explored gender inequalities and women’s subordination, focusing on patriarchal structures.

Method
Walby analyzed existing research from sociology, economics, history, and political science, as well as secondary sources like historical data and feminist literature.

Findings
Walby defined patriarchy as a system of social structures and practices where men dominate and exploit women. She identified six patriarchal structures that restrict women and sustain male dominance:

1. Paid Employment: Despite theoretical state support for gender equality, women face disadvantages in the labor market, earning less than men and being excluded from higher-paying jobs. Women often occupy lower-status roles, and their limited workforce participation stems from material constraints, such as low wages making paid work unviable. A gap persists between girls’ superior educational achievements and their lower workplace status.
2. The Household: Women are exploited through unpaid domestic labor, with many performing a "triple shift" (Duncombe and Marsden) of paid work, household tasks, and emotional labor within the family.
3. Culture: Social expectations impose different behavioral standards on men and women. Femininity is often defined in terms of sexual attractiveness to men, limiting women’s autonomy.
4. Sexuality: Women face double standards in expressing their sexuality. For example, women with multiple partners are judged harshly, while men are often praised for similar behavior.
5. Male Violence Against Women: The threat or use of violence reinforces patriarchal authority, discouraging women from challenging it. The state rarely intervenes unless the violence is extreme.
6. The State: Although state policies have become less patriarchal (e.g., easier divorce laws), they do little to counter patriarchal power. For instance, the gender pay gap persists, and laws like the Equalities Act 2010 are rarely enforced.

Conclusion
Walby argued that patriarchy in Western societies has evolved, with reductions in the gender pay gap and qualifications gap. She described a shift from private patriarchy (within households) to public patriarchy (in workplaces and society).

Evaluation
Liberal feminists argue that legal barriers have diminished, and more women are reaching top positions due to improved educational outcomes and increased workplace opportunities. Efforts like the Labour Party’s all-women shortlists (AWS) in 1997 aimed to address gender imbalances in politics, though the 2024 General Election saw a record number of female MPs without AWS. However, critics like Catherine Hakim argue that the gender pay gap persists because women choose to prioritize family over careers, leaving the workforce to have children.