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Meaning, Features, Functions, Branches & Why We Study Government | Week 13 Topics1 Quiz
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State; Meaning & Features, Nation, Society, Features of Society | Week 23 Topics1 Quiz
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Basic Concepts of Government - Power and Authority | Week 34 Topics1 Quiz
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Basic Concepts of Government Continues: Political Culture, Political Socialization and Legitimacy | Week 47 Topics1 Quiz
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Basic Concepts of Government Continues: Communalism, Socialism and Communism | Week 56 Topics1 Quiz
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Basic Concepts of Government Continues: Capitalism, Aristocracy, Oligarchy, Nazism etc | Week 66 Topics1 Quiz
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Basic Concepts of Government Continues: Fascism, Feudalism and Totalitarianism | Week 74 Topics1 Quiz
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Basic Concepts of Government Continues: Democracy and Sovereignty | Week 84 Topics2 Quizzes
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Structure and Characteristics of Government; Unitary System of Government, Republicanism | Week 94 Topics1 Quiz
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Military System of Government and Monarchy Form of Government | Week 106 Topics1 Quiz
Quizzes
Sources of Political Authority, Types of Political Authority, Differences between Power and Authority
Topic Content:
- Sources of Political Authority
- Differences between Power and Authority
- Types of Political Authority
- Evaluation Questions
Sources of Political Authority:
Political authority can emanate from:
(i) The ConstitutionA constitution is a set of fundamental rules that determine how a country or state is run. More or Law that Guides a State: constitution, states, decreesA decree is an official order given by a government or by a person with power. For example, the president can issue a decree making a particular day a national holiday.... More, edictsIn Nigeria, the military rules the people through decrees and edicts. Laws passed by the central government during military regimes are known as decrees while those passed by regional governments during... More, etc.
(ii) Elections: The people (electorateall the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election. More) give a political mandate to a ruler through an election.
(iii) Customs and Tradition: The type exercised by traditional rulers.
(iv) Act of Parliament: LegislativeThe legislative branch of government is responsible for making laws within a country. Legislatures are made up of people called legislators who, in democracies, are elected by the country’s population More enacted by the parliament.
(v) Outstanding and extraordinary qualities an individual possesses can ascribe political power to a person.
(vi) Decrees and edicts enacted by the military government.
(vii) Other sources include by-lawsBy-law is a rule established by an organization, council or board to regulate its activities and manage internal affairs. Local governments may use bylaws for various purposes, especially to regulate, prohibit... More, statutes, provincial orders, order-in-council etc.
Differences between Power and Authority:
| S/n | Power | Authority |
| 1. | Power is the ability or capability to command and be obeyed. | Authority is the legal right to make decisions, and laws and enforce them. |
| 2. | Fear of sanctions compels obedience. | The legality of order compels obedience. |
| 3. | Power cannot be delegated. | Authority can be delegated. |
| 4. | Force may be relied on to compel obedience. | Authority relies on the consent of the people. |
Types of Political Authority:
(i) Legal/Rational Authority: This authority is obtained from the Constitution.
(ii) Traditional Authority: The basis of this authority is the customs and traditions of the people.
(iii) Charismatic Authority: This is based on the belief in charisma. Special qualities or talents an individual possesses inspire followership.
Evaluation Questions:
(1) Explain the various types of political authority.
(2) Differentiate between power and authority.
(3) State the sources of political authority.
View Answers