Question

Blau argues that legitimate authority is the basis of social organization. How is that so?

Answer 1

Blau argues that legitimate authority is the basis of social organization. According to him Authority is the legitimate or socially approved use of power. It is the legitimate power which one person or a group holds over another. Blau gives us a very basic process through which power is either legitimated or de-legitimated. Both possibilities are in response to the group’s perception of how those in power perform with regards to the norms of fair exchange and reciprocity. If the norms of the reciprocity and fair exchange are adhered to, then social power will be legitimated.