Written by Authority is defined as the right to issue orders and command obedience.
It is the legitimate power to give order, direct others, and enforce obedience from others.
As it relates to government, authority can be defined as the legitimate power of a person, derived from holding political office, that allows him to make and implements policies on behalf of the entire population.
It may also be defined as the legal right to make and carry out public laws and policies
Authority is also the right to direct public goals.
That is, it is the right of a government to direct and regulate the actions and behaviors of citizens in the attainment of a predetermined public goal.
Types of authority
The different types of authority that we have are:
1. Traditional authority: This is a type of authority that is derived from the customs and traditions of the state.
Traditional authority is the legitimate power to enforce obedience that is derived from the customs, traditions, and belief systems of the state.
It is mostly found in a traditional society where chiefs and kings exercise authority in accordance with the customs, values, beliefs, and traditions of the society.
2. Charismatic authority: As its name might seem to suggest, charismatic authority stems from the charisma of the person.
A person has charismatic authority if he exhibits outstanding traits that inspire others to obey and stay loyal to him.
3. Legal-rational authority: This is an authority that emanates from the constitution of a state.
Unlike charismatic authority, which is derived from the charisma of a person, legal-rational authority is generally derived from the constitution.
Most contemporary democracies, including the USA, are based on legal-rational authority, where elected officials have the power to compel citizens to obey them.
4. Delegated Authority: This is most common in organizational settings but may also be found in government settings.
Delegated authority in the context of government is described as the authority passed from one arm of the government to another or from one arm of the government to an independent agency.
Stated simply, It is the authority that one arm or agencies of government obtained from another to carry out specific tasks.
The authority granted to police personnel to use firearms to defend themselves and the public is an illustration of delegated authority.
5. Political authority: This is another important type of authority.
Political authority, as its name seems to suggest, is the authority conferred on a person holding office.
As long as the person holds political office, he or she will continue to possess political authority.
However, as soon as the person leaves his post, he quickly loses his authority. Therefore, having political authority is tied to a political position.
6. Coercive authority: This is the right to exert obedience over others through the use of force.
Military men generally have coercive authority.
Difference Between Authority and Power
The term authority and power are often used interchangeably, even though they differ significantly.
The difference between authority and power are summarized as follows:
- While authority is the legal right to enact laws and issue orders that the entire state must obey, power is the capacity to exert control over everyone’s activities inside a state.
- Authority is typically based on a society’s laws, traditions, and customs, whereas, power is typically based on threats of punishment.
- Power can be legitimate or illegitimate. However, authority is always legitimate.
