A system based on __________ authority almost always faces a crisis when its leader dies.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A system based on charismatic authority is heavily dependent on the personality, charm, and appeal of its leader. When the leader dies, the system lacks the foundation of charismatic authority that held it together, leading to a potential crisis. This was the case with the death of leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and JFK. Systems based on traditional or legal-rational authority have established rules and procedures that continue to guide them even after the leader's death. A system based on charismatic authority revolves around the personal charisma and appeal of the leader, rather than a legal or traditional structure. Therefore, when the leader dies, there is often no clear successor who can command the same level of loyalty and support, leading to a crisis in the system.

A System Based on __________ Authority Almost Always Faces a Crisis