The main difference between authority and power is that power is the capacity of a person to influence the beliefs, actions, or behavior of others, whereas authority is the legitimate power an individual or a group of individuals possess and practice over other individuals.
In politics and sociology, the terms authority and power refer to the impact or influence the governments and political systems have on individuals and larger social systems. Power and authority are two inter-related concepts. Although power is necessary for authority, it is sometimes possible to have power without authority.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Power
– Definition, Features
2. What is Authority
– Definition, Features
3. Difference Between Authority and Power
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Authority, Power, Sociology
What is Power
We can define power as the capacity or ability of a person to influence the beliefs, actions, or behavior of others. Most sociological scholars use Max Weber’s definition of the concept of power, i.e., power is the ability to exercise one’s will over others.
Power can affect all in society. It can affect not just personal relationships but also larger social groups, professional organizations, as well as governments. Some see power as evil or corrupting, while some see it as good and empowering. A government’s power is not only limited to control the citizens of that government. A powerful country can also influence or support other countries or try to seize control of another country. The US joining the Allied Forces during the second world war and imposing sanctions on the North Korean government are two examples of dominant countries impacting other governments in the world. Attempts to gain power can sometimes lead to war, violence, abuse, or exploitation, for example, military coupes or rebellions.
However, it’s possible to command power without violence or military actions. Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr. were able to become powerful influences and positively impact people using non-violent protests to combat injustice and corruption in society.
What is Authority
As we discussed in the introduction, authority is interrelated to power. We can define authority as the legitimate power an individual or a group of individuals possess and practice over other individuals. We call this legitimate power; this refers to the power individuals agree to follow according to specific procedures. They follow or listen to people in authority because they believe that these individuals are in a position that inherently holds a degree of respect or because they believe that these individuals are worthy of respect. An interaction between a police officer and a normal citizen in the country is a common example of how people interact with figures of authority in everyday life. Government authorities and elected officials are some other figures of authorities people usually accept. As seen from such interactions, people usually perceive the actions and demands of such authority figures as legitimate, reasonable, or true.
Max Weber divided authority into three categories: traditional authority, charismatic authority, and legal-rational authority. In traditional authority, the legitimacy of power exists due to long-standing tradition, for example, the king in a country. In charismatic authority, people accept the power because of the personal characteristics of the leader. Napoleon and Martin Luther King, Jr. are examples of such leaders. Furthermore, in legal-rational authority, the power becomes legitimate by laws, written rules, and regulations.
Difference Between Authority and Power
Definition
Power is the capacity of a person to influence the beliefs, actions, or behavior of others, whereas authority is the legitimate power an individual or a group of individuals possess and practice over other individuals.
Legitimacy
Power can be obtained illegitimately, whereas authority is legitimate power.
People’s Acceptance
Sometimes, an individual can have power, but without people’s acceptance. But in authority, people’s acceptance is mandatory.
Conclusion
The main difference between authority and power is that power is the capacity of a person to influence the beliefs, actions, or behavior of others, whereas authority is the legitimate power an individual or a group of individuals possess and practice over other individuals.
Reference:
1. “Power and Authority.” Introduction to Sociology | Lumen Learning.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Authority” By Nick Youngson (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Picpedia.org
Leave a Reply