Which statement correctly distinguishes political power from political authority?

Which statement correctly distinguishes political power from political authority?

• A. Power is the use of force alone; authority is the lack of legitimacy.
• B. Power is the direct control of the government; authority is the political ideology.
• C. Power is the ability to influence or coerce; authority is the ability to influence or coerce.
• D. Power is the ability to influence or coerce; authority is illegitimate power.

Answer: (C)

Power and authority are related but not identical: power is the capacity to influence or coerce people and events, while authority is that power recognized as rightful and legitimate within a political system. The statement in question reflects this relationship by defining power as the ability to influence or coerce, and describing authority as the same kind of ability—emphasizing that authority is power exercised in a way that is accepted as legitimate within the political framework. Think of it in practical terms: anyone can have power to influence others, even through coercion, but authority is the version of that power that is sanctioned by laws, institutions, and norms. For example, a police officer has power to enforce laws; their authority comes from the legal framework that legitimizes that power and compels obedience.

Power and authority are related but not identical: power is the capacity to influence or coerce people and events, while authority is that power recognized as rightful and legitimate within a political system. The statement in question reflects this relationship by defining power as the ability to influence or coerce, and describing authority as the same kind of ability—emphasizing that authority is power exercised in a way that is accepted as legitimate within the political framework.

Think of it in practical terms: anyone can have power to influence others, even through coercion, but authority is the version of that power that is sanctioned by laws, institutions, and norms. For example, a police officer has power to enforce laws; their authority comes from the legal framework that legitimizes that power and compels obedience.