⊿ Point. {R} Glossary. ◢ Keyword: A. ◥ University. {q} PhD. {tr} Training. ⚫ UK. ↂ EndNote. ☝️ Weerakkody. Authority. Political power over others In the exercise of governance, the terms authority and power are inaccurate synonyms. The term authority identifies the political legitimacy, which grants and justifies the ruler's right to exercise the power of government; and the term power identifies the ability to accomplish an authorized goal, either by compliance or by obedience; hence, authority is the power to make decisions and the legitimacy to make such legal decisions and order their execution.[3] History[edit] Ancient understandings of authority trace back to Rome and draw later from Catholic (Thomistic) thought and other traditional understandings.
In more modern terms, forms of authority include transitional authority (exhibited in, for example, Cambodia),[4] public authority in the form of popular power, and, in more administrative terms, bureaucratic or managerial techniques. Political philosophy[edit] There have been several contributions to the debate of political authority. Sociology[edit]