Final answer:
Max Weber identified three types of authority that form the foundations of legitimacy: traditional authority, charismatic authority, and rational-legal authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The three foundations of legitimacy identified by sociologist Max Weber are traditional authority, charismatic authority, and rational-legal authority.
Traditional authority is based on an established belief in the sanctity of age-old practices and the legitimacy of those exercising authority under this tradition. This type of legitimacy often exists in societies where customs and precedents from the past are upheld and are passed down from generation to generation.
Charismatic authority arises from the personal appeal and leadership qualities of an individual. This person is able to inspire and command authority based on their own merits, personality, and ability to attract followers.
The last type, rational-legal authority, stems from a system of institutional procedures and legal norms. This form of legitimacy is characteristic of modern democracies, where authority is vested in a legal framework and officeholders rather than in the characteristics of the leaders themselves.