The Legitimization of Authority

Introduction

Authority when backed by legitimacy has always had a strong psychological impact on the subjects, whether it lies with an institution or a person. Legitimization of authority leads to the establishment of the belief that it is fitting, correct, and just. Legitimization of authority instills a sense of deference and obligation to decisions and rules, which makes following them voluntarily. However, the abuse of the same legitimately authoritative power leads to an obligation out of fear of punishment in the subjects.

Legitimization of authority helps strengthens the power of and is crucial for its successful exercise. It calls for a voluntary acquiescence among most people, most of the time, as the sense of obligation overpowers them. Legitimate authority becomes a heady experience for some. As the saying goes that power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, this is what we have seen reflected in the Stanford Prison Experiment (Tyler, p. 378).

Discussion

Upon coming into the possession of legitimate authority, the power figures sometimes feel they are not personally accountable for any wrong that may come of it. The authority figures try to disguise the injustice inflicted upon others or human rights' violation and state that it was for the purpose of law and order maintenance. Also, that the circumstances demanded such heinous acts from them for the greater good of the society (Blass, p. 193).

The biggest example of this has been the German Nazis who persecuted the minorities in the post World War I era continuing up to World War II. How the legitimate authority adds to the effectiveness of execution of any agenda especially during periods of scarcity, crisis, and conflict was evident in that period. The concept of authority legitimization has a strong impact on social thought and social psychology, and has emerged as an important aspect of political, legal, and social systems' dynamics (Tyler, p. 378).

The influence of legitimization authority clearly manifests itself in situations where people have to make decisions or rules for controlling the behavior of others and execute them. Whether the subjects will accept the authority is the key issue in social settings. The Stanford Experiment is a recent example of how legitimization of authority engenders acceptance and obedience (Blass, p. 193).

The abuse of power that comes with legitimate authority became evident through the Milgram Obedience Experiment. Whereby, people went on to hurt others because they beloved that the authority telling them to do ...