POWER, INFLUENCE, AUTHORITY AND LEGITIMACY (Pols 101)

Introduction

Power, influence, authority and legitimacy are core concepts in Political Science. They determine how societies are governed, how decisions are made, and why citizens obey or challenge those who rule them. Though related, each concept carries a distinct meaning and function in the political process.

Power

According to Max Weber, "power is the possibility of imposing one's will upon the of other persons."

By general understanding, power is the ability of an individual or an institution to make others do something whether they like it or not, and whether or not it is in their interest. Thus, compulsion is the central attribute of power.

Specifically, power is that instrument which determines whether a demand will be converted into value allocation, that is, whether it will be acted upon by the authorities. Power is what makes demands effective in the political arena.

Nigerian military 

By its nature, power is relational and situational. It is a form of interaction occurring within a context in which two or more people or groups stand in some kind of relationship with one another. Power cannot be physically seen; it can only be felt or noticed through its effects.

Power commands obedience; otherwise, it attracts certain consequences, punishments or reactions.

• In a school setting, these may include suspension or repetition.
• In society, consequences may include fines, imprisonment, or exclusion.

Authority

Authority refers to the formal or legal right to make and enforce laws or policies which citizens obey. Authority connotes the acceptance of the right to rule as legitimate by the people, irrespective of the sanctions attached to disobedience.

A statue of the mace of the Nigerian senate

Kinds of Authority

1. Institutional Authority – Power that comes from holding a recognized office or position within an institution or organisation.

2. Functional Authority – Power derived from expertise, skills, or specific functions performed within a system.

Influence 

According to Robert Dahl, influence is a "a relation among actors such that the wants and desires, preferences, or intentions of one or more actors affect the actions, or predisposition to act, of one or more actors.

A man giving speech 

Unlike power, which relies on compulsion, influence works through persuasion, attraction, or the subtle shaping of choices.

Legitimacy

Legitimacy is a political concept referring to the acceptance and recognition by the citizens of the right of their rulers to govern. A government is considered legitimate if it comes to power through constitutional and acceptable means, and if the people willingly acknowledge its right to rule.

Voting in a ballot box

Conclusion

Power enables compliance, authority gives an individual or institution the right to command, and legitimacy provides the moral and constitutional justification for that command. Together, these concepts form the foundation of political stability and effective governance in any society. In addition, influence, as described by Robert Dahl, highlights how the wants, desires, preferences, or intentions of one actor can shape or affect the actions or willingness to act of another. 

References 

Pols 101 note dictated by Prof. Kayode Omojuwa 

Wikipedia contributors