Abstract
This article has four main objectives. First, it introduces the ideal types of domination of Weber. Contrary to the received wisdom, which knows only “three ideal types” (traditional, charismatic and legal rational) I present the “fourth” type of domination, Weber called “Wille der Beherrschten” as an important correction of his ideal type of legal-rational authority. Next I make a novel, critical distinction between patrimonial and prebendal types of traditional authority. Third, I discuss various ways that communist regimes tried to legitimate themselves and how they entered eventually a legitimation crisis, leading to the collapse of communism. In the next section, I explore the different ways post-communist capitalisms seek legitimacy (with various combinations of legal rational authority and patrimonialism), and finally I conclude with a trend of re-convergence of some post-communist systems (especially Russia and Hungary, but with signs for similar trends elsewhere) into an illiberal, prebendal quasi-democratic system.
Highlights
The main purpose of this article is to explore whether post-communist capitalism, at least some versions of it, can be regarded as legitimate authority
My point of departure is Max Weber’s theory of legitimacy and the only question I pose is: Were communist and are post-communist regimes of Putin, Xi, or Orbán legitimate in terms of Weber’s theory, and if they are, what are the bases of their claim for legitimacy? Weber ’s distinction between power (Macht) and domination/authority (Herrschaft) is crucial to answer this question
Legal rational authority, and authority based on the “Wille der Beherrschten” are stable forms, charismatic authority is a “revolutionary force.”
Summary
Designated by tradiƟon Based on personal charisma 1/ Traditional authority 2/ CharismaƟc authority 4/ to a ruler who was selected by “Wille der Beherrschten” Fig. 1 Obedience and four types of authority. This is very much the essence of the Weberian approach. In this article my main task is to explore what is the mix we can find in a communist and post-communist society and how different it is from other societies we are familiar with The basis of this classification is to whom obedience is due on what grounds in the various systems of domination. Legal rational authority, and authority based on the “Wille der Beherrschten” are stable forms, charismatic authority is a “revolutionary force.” I begin the discussion with a brief review of the type of domination with traditional authority (Fig. 2)
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