Theory question 101
Power, Authority, Legitimacy and Sovereignty(a) Explain the term authority.
(b) What are the main sources of political authority?
Show the model answer
Model answer
(a) Authority is the legitimate (lawful and accepted) right to give orders and make decisions that others obey; it is power that the people regard as rightful.
(b) Any four: the constitution and law (legal-rational authority); tradition/custom (e.g. kings and chiefs); charisma (personal qualities of a leader); consent of the people through elections; religion/divine right; force or conquest that later becomes accepted (e.g. military rule); delegation from a higher authority.
Explanation
Say clearly that authority is power that is accepted as legitimate.