Please choose a passage from “Politics as a Vocation”, write out the passage, and give the meaning of the quote as well as you chose the quote. How does Weber's writings on technical leadership, rationalization, and bureaucracy anticipate Jünger's later writings on technology.
QUOTE: “It is understood that, in reality, obedience is determined by highly robust motives of fear and hope--fear of the vengeance of magical powers or of the power-holder, hope for reward in this world or in the beyond-- and besides all this, by interests of the most varied sort. Of this we shall speak presently. However, in asking for the 'legitimations' of this obedience, one meets with these three 'pure' types: 'traditional,' 'charismatic,' and 'legal.'”
INTERPRETATION: The quote depicts that in actuality a society only complies with the laws of their state out of despair and expectations. Despair of the retribution the person in power may act upon an individual or a society simply because they renounce to follow their ideas or movements. The expectations society foresee is for positive outcomes from the formal election and new election to better their community. But while asking for an acceptance of the expectations, the political figure must meet three requirements: “traditional, charismatic and legal”.
OPINION: This quote caught my attention because the idea of how to lead a society has been present for many centuries and still stands strong in today’s political system. This quote very clearly states that political figures have a tremendous power over individuals regardless of the economic or social status. Many civilians act base on fear created by these individuals to follow their idea of a perfect society regardless of the consequences. One thing I do find interesting is that the political figure must meet three classic requirements in order to be a true politician: “traditional, charismatic, and legal” but if one really thinks about it, in reality only a few have and will meet the classic requirement on being a true politician.
Weber’s writing speaks about revolutionizing political system with the help of technology by improving living standards and choosing wisely who will be in power to help lead a society under construction. Junger view “Today, as noted, we are in the process of creating new, more disciplined formations, which, as we will soon see, extend far beyond the more limited sphere of politics” (pg 29). Junger speaks about ways of creating new discipline development from a political point of view as a whole not as individuals.
I like how you interpreted that passage because you pointed out the three qualifications of being a true politician. This tells the people that only a few people in that society has all of these three qualities which makes them a true politician which also divides the society into social classes showing the people what they are capable and uncapable of doing or becoming or achieving, based on their social class and the amount of power they hold in politics. In addition to the fact that as you mentioned, people don't have a choice to choose what is it they think is right to do because there are rules and regulations as to what they are permitted and not permitted to do.
ReplyDeleteIt is very sad that after so many years politics has not changed much and instead of making our society better it sometimes it destroys it.
ReplyDelete