Authority Authority Authority is an ability through which a superior individual establishes his superiority over the subordinate and gets his order obeyed. The subordinate accept the orders or command of the superiors as legitimate order and obey them. The English word ‘Authority’ is based on a Latin ‘Auctoritias’ which means consensus or approval. In ancient period the roman people used to hold assemblies to decide their future polices and laws for themselves on which approval was sought from the Senate. When accepted by the Senate, it was said that the law or policy has acquired Auctoritias (Authority).

Characteristics of Authority Authority is a quality Authority is a quality Capacity to command and obedience Capacity to command and obedience Authority is accepted and respected Authority is accepted and respected Authority is legitimate Authority is legitimate Authority is rational Authority is rational Authority is not something material Authority is not something material Basis of authority is reason Basis of authority is reason Organization Organization Hierarchical nature of authority Hierarchical nature of authority Authority is situational concept Authority is situational concept

kinds of Authority Traditional Authority Traditional Authority Legal and Constitutional Authority Legal and Constitutional Authority Authority based on force Authority based on force Religious authority Religious authority Charismatic authority Charismatic authority Political authority Political authority Authority of elite Authority of elite Hereditary authority Hereditary authority

Basis of authority Legitimacy Legitimacy Legal force Legal force Religion Religion Public opinion Public opinion

Traditions Traditions Habits Habits Utility Utility Ancestral lineage Ancestral lineage Constitution Constitution

Importance of authority Authority provide legtimacy to power Authority provide legtimacy to power Check on the principle might is right Check on the principle might is right It bring efficiency in administration It bring efficiency in administration It provide stability to administration It provide stability to administration Administration becomes less expensive Administration becomes less expensive

Difference between authority and power Power can be legitimate as well as illegitimate but authority is always legitimate. Power can be legitimate as well as illegitimate but authority is always legitimate. Authority is based on reason but there is no place of reason in power. Authority is based on reason but there is no place of reason in power. In power, dominating factor is force, where as in authority, it is consent or legitimacy. In power, dominating factor is force, where as in authority, it is consent or legitimacy.

Authority is always responsible but it is not must for power. Authority is always responsible but it is not must for power. Authority is based on consent whereas power is to impose one’s will. Authority is based on consent whereas power is to impose one’s will. Coercion has special significance in power but not in authority. Coercion has special significance in power but not in authority. Power is mostly selfish whereas authority is not. Power is mostly selfish whereas authority is not.

Conclusion Robert A Dahl has rightly said, “Legitimate power is often called authority.” Authority is always accepted with respect because legal force is behind it. And its use is made to achieve legitimate objectives. It is supported by public opinion. Usually aim of the use of authority is public welfare, thus people habitually obey it. Authority is always accepted with respect because legal force is behind it. And its use is made to achieve legitimate objectives. It is supported by public opinion. Usually aim of the use of authority is public welfare, thus people habitually obey it.

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By Dr. AMANDIP KAUR DEPTT. OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, PGGCG, SEC. 11, CHANDIGARH.