The rise of the new elite : the evolution of leadership in Kentucky, c.1770-1800
Utilising Max Weber's categorisations for legitimate authority, this thesis investigates how Kentucky society was organised from first settlement, through to the end of the eighteenth century, and how this society evolved. Weberâs categorisations are used to investigate who assumed authority at each stage of development, what made this authority legitimate, and how understandings of legitimacy evolved over time. Central to this investigation are two competing authority figures, that of the frontier âBig Manâ and the more traditional âelite settler.â This thesis focusses on the efforts of elite settlers to reinstate an acceptance of their leadership as a traditionally-established norm among the community, and the role of the charismatic frontier Big Man. While gentlemen based their authority on landholding and a freedom from manual labour, the frontier Big Man legitimised authority through demonstrations of ability and a capacity for dramatic action. Both methods however, could only gain legitimacy if they reflected the collective approval of the local community. Legitimate authority reflected the issues and concerns of settlers at a particular time. This thesis will demonstrate how different concepts
Smith, Blair M.
The rise of the new elite : the evolution of leadership in Kentucky, c.1770-1800. Utilising Max Weber's categorisations for legitimate authority, this thesis investigates how Kentucky society was organised from first settlement, through to the end of the eighteenth century, and how this society evolved. Weberâs categorisations are used to investigate who assumed authority at each stage of development, what made this authority legitimate, and how understandings of legitimacy evolved over time. Central to this investigation are two competing authority figures, that of the frontier âBig Manâ and the more traditional âelite settler.â This thesis focusses on the efforts of elite settlers to reinstate an acceptance of their leadership as a traditionally-established norm among the community, and the role of the charismatic frontier Big Man. While gentlemen based their authority on landholding and a freedom from manual labour, the frontier Big Man legitimised authority through demonstrations of ability and a capacity for dramatic action. Both methods however, could only gain legitimacy if they reflected the collective approval of the local community. Legitimate authority reflected the issues and concerns of settlers at a particular time. This thesis will demonstrate how different concepts
rise_new elite evolution leadership utilising max_weber categorisation legitimate_authority investigate society organise first settlement end society evolve weber categorisation use_investigate assume authority stage_development make authority legitimate understandings legitimacy evolve time central investigation two_compete authority figure frontier big man traditional elite settler focus effort elite settler reinstate acceptance leadership traditionally established norm among community role charismatic frontier big man gentleman base authority landholding freedom manual labour frontier big man legitimise authority demonstration ability capacity dramatic action method however could gain legitimacy reflect collective approval local_community legitimate_authority reflect issue_concern settler particular time different concept