I. Meaning :

The power exercised by a dacoit is power or force but not authority. When an officer of the government confiscates the property of a citizen under law, not arbitrarily, but he does so under legitimate power, or in a lawful manner. That power is called authority.

Robert Dahl has rightly said, "Legitimate power is often called authority."

According to Simon,"Authority may be defined as the power to make decisions which guide the actions of another. It is the relationship between the two individuals, the one superior and the other subordinate."

II. Characteristics of Authority:

Following are the main characteristics of authority:

1.Authority maintains its dominance over all the activities, functions and structures within the political system.

2.Authority is based upon the consent to the people. It means authority has to be exercised with responsibility.

3.Authority is the power that has been accepted and is respected by the people. One need not use force to exercise authority since the people accept it of their free will and respect it.

4.Authority is something that is based upon reasonable and fair power.

5.Legitimacy is another important characteristic of authority.

6.Authority is hierarchical. It means the presence of two persons-one superior, the other subordinate. One who has authority receives command from his superiors and gives orders to his subordinates. Thus authority's structure is hierarchical.