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Introduction
Having power and having authority can be discussed as interrelated but different concepts in relation to governmental and political dynamics. The aspect of having power is associated with the capacity to influence and control others’ behaviors and certain events. Authority, on the other hand, is the recognized right to exercise power in actions due to perceived legitimacy.
Discussion
Power in the context of governments can be acquired by various means, such as political and economic influence, social networks, charisma, or force. As a result, power can have a far-reaching impact on other people, social groups, professional organizations, and even citizens of certain states (Lumen Learning, 2022). From this perspective, power can be used for good or evil depending on the holder’s intentions and actions, as can be seen with reference to the example of powerful nations, which may use their influence to change the decisions of other countries or even try to control them.
Authority, on the other hand, can be viewed as a source of some legitimate power that people, or citizens in the case of states, willingly submit to. In most cases, people tend to respect politicians if they are authority figures and view their strategies, perspectives, and goals as valid and beneficial for states. In this context, authority is usually conferred individually or to groups by the state, for instance through the enactment of laws or the installation of a leader (Lumen Learning, 2022).
Conclusion
As a result, authority is also usually accompanied by a certain level of prestige, respect, and legitimacy which is not necessarily true for power. There are situations when those political or state leaders who have power can lack the authority to influence citizens’ views positively and maintain public order. However, having certain means, a powerful political leader may be able to influence events and views even if they have no legal authority to do so.
Reference
Lumen Learning. (2022). Module 11: Government and politics. In Introduction to sociology (2nd ed.). OpenStax CNX. Web.
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