Rational legal authority

Weber: Rational legal authority has generalized rules that are logically consistent, defining the limits of authority and its jurisdiction. Rules are universal, impartial and impersonal. Individuals are covered by these rules. Again this is an ideal type not totally existing in reality. Yet, because it is ideal and legal authority is judged by these standards, and where it fails to live to this ideal is seen as a problem. This problem helps define further political action.

Rational legal authority: Authority is limited to the legal explanation of a specific office.  A specific sphere of competence, which is covered by closely well-defined job description and is this strictly understandable written rules described sets of responsibilities is explanation of the office, which identifies the criteria for performance evaluation, sets apart that office from other offices. Influence of the individual is limited to her sphere of competence as defined by legal description of the office itself. Outside of that office the office holder is a private citizen. Again this is another ideal type, but one that is used to formally to assess the performance of the office holder.