An authority that is considered to be legitimate has the liberty to exercise power. Legitimacy is the ability to be defended with valid logic and justification. Authority is the power to influence opinion, behavior, and thought. Power is the capacity to influence the behavior of others. Legitimacy involves acceptance of an enforced law as an authority, whereas power involves persuading others to do something. Power becomes an authority after getting legitimized; thus, it is more effective. This paper argues that power, authority, and legitimacy are essential factors in politics because they provide political stability. Various methods have been put into practice to make the argument, such as determining the relationship between the elements and distinguishing them from each other. This essay will address power, authority, and legitimacy and look at the relationship and differences between the aspects in regard to political stability.
Power is used in politics to implement decisions making it more efficient when it is not a source of coercion. The stability of authority depends on how power is used. Authority is the capacity of an institution, people, and order; thus, it is essential in ensuring authenticity so that people follow regulations without hesitating (Koivunen and Vuorelma, 2022). Authority substitutes two main factors; Legitimacy and Power.
The legitimacy of a rule implies that people are ready to follow regulations because they reckon decisions made as fruitful in the community (Siess and Amossy, 2022). Exercising power is not necessary when legitimacy is attached to power but rather only comes out as a symbol. Power ensures the implementation of decisions and rules through the coercion of authority but later works as a catalyst for rebellion. Power is enabled by legitimacy; many communities follow the rules based on legitimacy; thus, enforcing power is unnecessary (Gardner-McTaggart, 2022, p.1-16). If the legitimacy of a law is rendered unchaste, a rule or regulation will not be observed, irrespective of the power of authority.
Legitimacy transforms power into authority and ensures political stability. Legitimacy is a psychologically accepted practice to exercise power. A person can have legitimacy and lack power contrary; a person can also have power but lack legitimacy. Authority has a legitimate right to rule, command, and write rules and laws. Legitimacy makes a relation between authority and power and helps the community to understand that political forces and regulations within the society are justified and rightful (Amossy, 2022, p.28). The relationship between power, authority, and legitimacy creates political stability used by most developed countries. Authority is associated with consent, while political power is based on authority. Force or power exercised without authority is ineffective in the political realm because authority can only be legitimate with consent. Power becomes more effective when it is not a source of coercion; thus, power becomes authority after getting legitimized.
Power is the ability to get someone to do something without giving them a choice, while authority is the right to give commands. Authority is perceived as legitimate power granted to a person or group over others in an organization (Andreopoulos and Rosow, 2022, pp.93-95). Power is an acquired ability, while authority is a legal right that high officials concede. Research conducted by Max Weber showed that power could not be possessed; rather, one can have means of power such as resources, determination, and luck (McLean and Nix, 2022, pp.1287-1309). The major sources of power are knowledge and expertise, while the position in an office determines authority. Power enforces the individual or collective will of groups of people, while legitimacy is a socially constructed right to use power. Legitimate power comes from an individual’s organizational role.
In political science, legitimacy involves the acceptance of authority from a governing law, whereas authority denotes a specific position in a government establishment. Studies showed the distinction between authority and legitimacy in resource-exchange analysis redirected from a preoccupation with differences in charismatic and patrimonial and source and degree (Akinlabi, 2022, p.11-24). Legitimacy is a formal authority from a job title that adds a sense of order and structure to the working environment. In contrast, authority involves assigning responsibilities, making decisions, and enforcing compliance (Alter, 2022). Power, authority, and legitimacy are exercised separately and constitute different practices.
Learning about the importance of power in political stability brings changes and educates people about government possession of control and authority. A country’s stability is ensured by implementing laws that benefit the socioeconomic sector. Power is essential in human life; it acquires many structures, is evident in many customs, and appears in many places (Brannigan, 2022, pp.417-427). Political leaders can exploit power through acts of injustice, such as corruption and bribery. Knowing strategies to take when powers are exploited helps create awareness. In the presence of power, rules can be made, mended, and broken to make changes.
Laws can be broken if they minimize opportunities, create unfair practices, exploit marginalized communities, and cause damage. Restoring and creating new rules while considering people’s opinions will help establish laws that apply to everyone. The changes made through amending new rules ensure that the needs of a community are addressed. Power is an effective tool that can succeed if used correctly and for the right reasons. The argument on power in political stability is relevant in reducing individual exploitation through control and changing society.
Legitimacy and authority in politics build political stability when they are associated together. Developed countries have established political institutions to provide the basis of strength. Countries that exercise just authority and legitimacy are more likely to succeed. Before 2003, Iraq was based on political legitimacy, but after the U.S. government used military force to bring down democracy, the political system of Iraq collapsed (Sabikh, 2022, pp.72-79). Iraq has been suffering from political instability since the establishment of the modern states in 1920, and the issue further increased in 2003 (Sabikh, 2022, pp.72-79). The argument of political stability resulting from legitimacy and authority is essential in ensuring the development of a country and reinforcing government strategies.
Conclusion
Power, authority, and legitimacy are important aspects that contribute to political stability. Power is the ability to carry out a task, authority is a social power within organized groups, and legitimacy identifies whether authority is justified. Power is enabled by legitimacy, while legitimacy transforms power into authority. On the other hand, authority is associated with consent, while political power is based on authority. Political stability is related to the relationship between the three factors. Power, authority, and legitimacy are distinguished by definition and application. Legitimacy involves the acceptance of authority from a governing law, whereas authority denotes a specific position in a government organization. Power contributes to changes through the amendment of new regulations. Authority and legitimacy are vital in the development and growth of a country. These aspects are also essential in politics due to political stability.
Reference List
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