 Dear students, in this module we are going to discuss types of authority and there are three important types of authority given by the German sociologist Max Weber, traditional, rational legal and charismatic authority. Authority refers to the legitimate exercise of power and control over others often based on norms and belief system. When we talk about authority, it is different from power. In power, it can be use of force or coercion, but authority is always legal or legitimized. In other words, the authority which is being exercised, its consent is included in it. So, traditional authority is based on long standing customs and traditions and is often associated with the heredity or religious figures. Its first form is called traditional authority. Traditional authority can be your religious figures, especially the authority which is being exercised through traditions and traditions. For example, we see that parents can exercise their authority over their children. So, it is a form of traditional authority. Similarly, when we look at the Jirga system in villages, the head of the Jirga system is also exercising its traditional authority over people. In Pakistan, traditional authority is exemplified by the role of tribal leaders and religious figures. For example, similarly when we see that the rational legal authority, so it is based on formal rules and procedures often codified in law and enforced by the government institutions. If we talk about the rational legal authority, then it is a modern form of authority in which your authority or your power is not determined on the basis of your characteristics. In fact, you get that power through the legal system. In other words, the law is its derivative source through which you are able to exercise that authority. And this authority is based on a rational basis. It is not specified which individual will be responsible for this authority. In fact, those are different social positions and power positions which can exercise the authority over those who are sitting. In Pakistan, for example, rational legal authority is embodied by the constitution and judiciary system. Judicial system and constitution determine who will have legal rational authority in Pakistan. For example, what will be the authority of the Prime Minister? What will be the authority of the President? Similarly, the other positions in the provincial government, like the chief minister, all the authority and jurisdiction is determined through that legal document. It is rationalised that where this authority can be exercised and where it cannot be exercised. Then we have the charismatic authority. It is based on the personal qualities and charisma of an individual and is often associated with the movements and social change. If we look at the charismatic authority, then it is based on the characteristics of an individual. For example, we call charisma, personality charm. In that, there are special divine powers which can influence people or others. In Pakistan, charismatic authority is exemplified by the figures such as Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Zulfiqa Ali Bhutto. Understanding the dynamics of authority is essential for analysing the ways in which power and control are exercised in the contemporary societies and for understanding the potential for social and political change. These three forms of authority are very important for us to understand in their context because as a sociologist, as a social scientist, we see that every authority's exercise has its own jurisdiction and its own role. The same role can be exercised in the same context. Interestingly, when any authority is exercised in a context, then there are many repercussions or consequences. For social scientists or sociologists, it is necessary to look at the possible consequences and how they are affecting human behaviour. It is a full thought for you that these three forms of authority such as traditional authority, rational legal authority or charismatic authority, these three forms of authority are being exercised in different domains or wherever in Pakistan.