Political power and authority

The Concept of Power

The Meaning of Power

Power can simply be defined as the ability to make others to do what ordinarily they would not have done. It can also be seen as the ability to exercise control over the actions of others. According to Keith Dowding, power is the ability to influence or control the behavior of people. Power therefore revolves around the ABILITY to command others.

The Forms of Power

There are numerous forms of power, which include:

1. Political power:This entails the type of power exercised by political office holders, such as the president, governors, ministers, commissioners, etc. The major instruments of political power are the arms of government.
2. Economic power:This is the type of power that emanates from the wealth and influence an individual, group or nation is possesses.
3. Physical/Naked power:This is the type of power exhibited by people who are physically well built and muscular. They tend to have intimidating physiological makeup. It is based on human strength or ability.
4. Military power:This is the power exercised by men in uniforms. For instance the power exercised by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Army, Navy, etc.
5. Technical power:This is the form of power that stems from the technical knowledge of any individual, group or nation. It is sometimes referred to as expertise power.

The Concept of Authority

Definition of Authority

Authority is defined as the power that is enforced as a right which is derived from an occupied position. It may also be defined as the right to direct public goals and order their execution.

Two major characteristics of authority are:

1. The position that enforces the authority must be occupied.
2. The authority enforced must be in consonance with the position that is occupied i.e. it is not wrongly enforced

The Sources of Political Authority

1. Election
2. Special appointment
3. Right and privileges
4. Special knowledge and qualities

The Differences between Power and Authority

In government, the term authority is often used interchangeably with power. However, in a stricter sense, they differ in meaning. While power is the ability to influence somebody to do something that he or she would not have done, authority refers to a claim of legitimacy, the justification and right to exercise that power. For instance, while a mob has the power to punish a criminal by lynching, people who believe in the rule of law consider that only a court of law has the authority to punish a criminal legally.

Power and authority differ in the following ways:

1. Power does not have the support of law, but authority does.
2. Power translates to authority, while authority translates to decision making.
3. Power is not static. In other words, it is always in action and is uses force. However, authority has a place it resides. Authority is static, as it remains in an office or position even when the incumbent leaves.
4. The function of power may be either constructive or destructive, while the main function of authority is constructive.
5. Generally, power has more effect on people than authority.

EVALUATION

1.(a) Define the concept of political power.

(b) List and explain five (5) forms of power.

2.(a) What is authority?

(b) List four (4) sources of political authority.

3. Differentiate between power and authority.