Power held because "that’s how it’s always been" (think Kings and tribal chiefs).
The "secret sauce" of the modern state is . While we often use the word as a slur for slow paperwork, Weber saw it as the most efficient way to organize human energy. Max Weber’s Theory of the Modern State: Origins...
How did we get here? Weber identified a massive historical shift in how power is justified. He broke this down into three "ideal types" of authority: Power held because "that’s how it’s always been"
Decisions are made "without regard to persons," based on written files and regulations rather than favors or family ties. The "Iron Cage" Max Weber’s Theory of the Modern State: Origins...