Lecture: Power, Authority & Legitimacy
Topic:
Power, Authority aur Legitimacy ka Meaning + Difference + Examples.
Meaning / Definition
Power - Power ka matlab hai:
kisi person/group ki ability ki woh dusron se apni baat manwa sake (with or without force).
Simple:
Power = influence + control
Authority
Authority ka matlab hai:
right to command (legal/accepted right)
Simple:
Authority = power + legitimacy
Legitimacy
Legitimacy ka matlab hai:
log kisi ruler/government ko rightful/valid maante hain.
Simple:
Legitimacy = acceptance by people
Points (Deep Understanding)
Power ka nature:
Power force se bhi aa sakti hai.
money se bhi.
popularity se bhi.
knowledge se bhi.
position (post) se bhi.
Example:
Police ke paas power hoti hai.
Ek billionaire ke paas economic power hoti hai.
Media ke paas opinion power hoti hai.
Authority ka nature
Authority tab hoti hai jab:
log maan bhi lete hain.
aur system legally allow karta hai.
Example:
Judge ka order authority hota hai.
Teacher ka classroom mein authority hota hai.
Legitimacy ka role
Legitimacy ka main kaam: State/Government ko stable banana.
Agar legitimacy na ho:
protests badhte hain.
rebellion hota hai.
government weak ho jaati hai.
Example: Agar election fair na ho, toh government ki legitimacy low ho jaati hai.
Power vs Authority (Most Important Difference)
Point Power Authority:
Meaning Ability to control Right to command.
Base Force / influence Law + acceptance
Nature Can be illegal Mostly legal
Example Gang leader Police officer.
Authority vs Legitimacy
Authority ka base hota hai legitimacy.
Legitimacy ka base hota hai public trust + constitution + tradition
Example:
Agar koi PM elected hai → authority strong.
Agar PM election rigging se aaya → authority weak (legitimacy problem).
Types of Authority (Max Weber – Advanced Part)
Traditional Authority:
Purane customs aur traditions pe based
Example: Kings, old monarchies.
Charismatic Authority
Leader ki personality pe based.
Example:
revolutionary leaders, mass leaders.
Legal-Rational Authority
Constitution aur law pe based.
Example:
India ka PM, President, Courts.
Modern democracy mostly isi pe chalti hai.
Political Science mein yeh topic kyun important hai?
Kyuki politics ka core yahi hai:
Who has power?
Who has authority?
Who is legitimate?
Aur political conflicts ka base bhi yahi hota hai.
Example (Easy & Strong)
Example 1:
Ek gangster area control karta hai:
Uske paas power hai.
But authority nahi (illegal).
Legitimacy bhi nahi.
Example 2:
Ek police officer ke pass:
Power bhi.
Authority bhi.
Legitimacy bhi (law + public acceptance)
Conclusion
Power, Authority aur Legitimacy politics ke 3 pillars hain:
Power = control karne ki ability.
Authority = command dene ka right.
Legitimacy = logon ka acceptance
Modern democracy tabhi stable hoti hai jab: Authority + Legitimacy strong ho.
