Power, Authority and Rule of Law

Power, Authority and Rule of Law

Rule of law is the acceptance of the legitimacy of the law. Under the rule of law, even people in power must obey the law.

• The governments of nation-states need to have power and authority in order to protect citizens and enforce public policy. 

•  Power — the ability to do something — is closely tied to authority, the right to enforce something. However, they are not the same.

•  For example, someone may seek to gain power over your thoughts or actions, but that person doesn't have any real authority over you unless he or she is your legal guardian or a law enforcement official. 

• Authority, then, is power that is recognized as legitimate. People must recognize the legitimacy of a government for it to have authority.

• Similarly, the rule of law rests in people's respect for and obedience to the law. It reinforces the power and authority of the state by ensuring that no one, even those in power, are above the law. 

• Not all nation-states recognize the rule of law, but those that do closely tie the authority of the state to this concept. 

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the relationship between power and authority?

• Power is authority that is recognized as legitimate

• People with power always have authority as well.

• Sometimes people with power lack authority.