CHAPTER ONE
POWER
Power is the ability to control the actions of others irrespective of their wishes. It is the ability to
enforce decisions or command through the possession of means of sanctions. It seeks to compel
people to obey rules. Sanctions or punishments are often applied for non-compliance.
Forms of Power
1. Political Power: This is the type of power that is exercised by the government in the
running of the affairs of the state. Decisions made through this type of power are binding
on the state. Power resides in the three arms of government and is derived from the
constitution.
2. Physical Power: This type is often referred to as naked power. It involves the use of
force to compel people to obey. The police, security services, etc., use this type of power,
and it oftentimes may cause pain, injury, or death.
3. Military Power: Military power can be used to forcefully overthrow a government, quell
riots, and defend the internal and external territory of a state.
4. Economic Power: This type of power involves the use of economic resources at one’s
disposal to control the actions of others. Rich men exercise economic power over the
poor by influencing government policies to suit them.
SOURCES OF POWER
1. The Constitution: In democratic states, the constitution confers power on an individual
through the ballot box.
2. Through Inheritance: In most societies, this is a common means of acquiring power.
Those born in royal families have the right to ascend into power, and this gives them
some elements of power./ Political power can be acquired by inheritance
3. Coercion/Force (Coup d'état): Power can be obtained through the use of force,
especially the military. In Africa, for example, political power is derived by the military
by overthrowing a government through what is known as a coup d’état./ The government
can be changed through the use of force.
4. The Use of Charisma: Power is conferred on many people through their personal
qualities and influence. Such people have the zeal and charismatic attributes of a leader.
E.g., Nelson Mandela (South Africa), Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo (Nigeria),
and Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana). / The possession of extraordinary ability or quality to
attract others may be a source of power. Such people have the zeal and charismatic
attributes of a leader.
5. Position of Authority: Those who possess expert knowledge in various aspects of
human life exercise power over those who do not have such expertise. This power ceases
to exist when the person vacates the office.
6. Wealth: Those who control economic resources use such an advantage to acquire power.
This aligns with the principle of economic determinism.
7. Election - Political power can be acquired through periodic elections.
8. Constitution - This is a source through which agencies, commissions, institutions, and
arms of government derive their power.
9. Appointment - Some people are appointed into positions to exercise political power,
e.g., judges, ministers, ambassadors, etc.
Other sources of power are:
Delegation.
Military might of a state.
The technological strength of a state.
Traditions, cultures, conventions, and norms of the people.
AUTHORITY
Authority refers to the right to command or direct others and enforce obedience. The power of
authority is derived from one’s office and from the consent of the people. It implies the
acceptance by the people of someone’s right to rule.
OR
Authority is the legal right to make and enforce laws which the citizens must obey. It is the
legitimate right of a person to command and direct others.
This is why even military governments try to legitimize their authority by seeking the consent of
the people. In a democratic society, the electorates are the primary source of power and political
authority.
Forms of Authority
1. Political Authority:- This is the right to issue commands, make decisions and secure
compliance from the people.
2. Administrative Authority:- This is the right of professionals to make decisions and
obtain obedience.
3. Judicial Authority:- This is the right of judges to issue a command in the form of fines
and other punishments.
4. Military Authority:- This is the right of the armed forces to use force in maintaining the
security of a state.
Sources of Political Authority
Max Weber, a German sociologist, identifies three sources of political authority. They are:
1. Legal Authority:- This is derived from the body of rules and regulations governing a
society. It is called the constitution and can be written or unwritten. The powers of the
Head of State in a democratic setting are derivable from the constitution. / This is derived
from the constitution of a democratic state exercised through the three (3) organs/arms of
government.
2. Traditional Authority:- This is hereditary and is based on the norms, customs, and
traditions of the society. The Obis, Obas, and Emirs derive their political power through
this source. / This is the right to rule based on customs and traditions. It is hereditary and
is based on the norms, customs, and traditions of a particular society. It is through this
source that Obas, Emirs, and Obis derive their political power. / This is based on customs
and traditions.
3. Charismatic Authority:- This is derived from the extraordinary qualities which a person has that
give him the right to lead or rule others. / This is derived from the extraordinary qualities that a
person has, which enables them to lead others. Charisma is an extraordinary quality that a
person possesses and gives them the right to rule. / This is derived based on the level of
expertise an individual has acquired.
4. Delegated Authority:- This is given to someone to exercise functions in specific areas.
5. Political Authority:- This is an authority conferred on persons holding political offices.
6. Coercive Authority:- This is based on the use of force or threat.
7. Positional Authority:- The position a person holds determines the level of his authority
over his subordinates.
8. De-factor Authority:- This is a situation where one person acknowledges being entitled
to command. It presupposes that one is in such a position to get others to do or believe
what he tells them.
9. De-jure Authority:- This is the right way to issue instructions and have them obeyed. It
is acquired by the commission. A person with de-jure authority acts on behalf of others
who have commissioned him to do so. When a person with de-jure authority exceeds the
limit of his authority, such an act is regarded as "ultra vires".
Types of Authority
1. Political Authority: This is the right of political officeholders to command, make, and
enforce policies. The constitution confers such powers.
2. Military Authority: This refers to the rights of the armed forces to use force to maintain
law and order and ensure security in the state.
3. Traditional Authority: This is power legitimized by customs and traditions. This type of
authority is acquired through inheritance.
4. Delegated Authority: This is authority conferred on a subordinate to carry out certain
powers on specified matters.
5. Technical Authority: When a person’s authority is accepted because they are an expert
in a recognized field, they have technical authority.
6. Judicial Authority: This is the authority that courts and judges have to issue fines or
other punishments to individuals, groups, or governments.
7. Administrative Authority: This is the right of professionals like civil servants and
managers to make decisions in their respective offices and secure obedience.
No. Power Authority
1 Power can be Authority is mostly legitimate.
legitimate or
illegitimate.
2 Power is the ability to Authority is the right to give
command. commands.
3 Power cannot be Authority can be delegated with
delegated. legitimized responsibility.
4 Resistance to power is Authority is not resisted as it has
met with force. legitimacy in its orders.
5 The main function of The main function of authority is
power may be constructive.
constructive or
destructive.
6 People obey power In authority, obedience is based on the
holders for fear of legitimacy of the order.
sanctions.
7 Power has the capacity Authority has a formal and legal right to
to affect someone’s make and enforce laws.
behaviour.
Differences between Power and Authority
Note: Power and authority complement each other as none can exist in isolation.
Legitimacy
The word legitimacy is derived from the Latin word "legitimus," which means lawful or
according to law.
In government, legitimacy refers to the acceptance of the political system by the people in
compliance with the laid-down rules and regulations.
A government is considered legitimate if it has come into office through a generally recognized
and acceptable means, such as a free and fair election. It also means the support of the people
toward a government in power, since the stability of a government depends largely on popular
support from the people.
OR
Legitimacy can be defined as the recognition and acceptance of the right of the ruler to govern
the people. It is the recognition and acceptance of the right/authority of a government and its
institution by the people to make and enforce laws. Legitimacy can also be defined as the
recognition and acceptance of the rulers by the people as expressed in compliance with the
authority. A government is legitimate if it entered into office through a recognized and accepted
procedure such as a free and fair election.
Factors That Affect Legitimacy
1. Leadership – When a leader performs very well, the people accept his regime as a
legitimate one.
2. Common National Symbols – The existence of common national symbols like the
National Anthem, Pledge, National Flag, Coat of Arms, and National Passport
encourages legitimacy. The observance of national holidays and the acceptance of
common heroes and heroines also affect legitimacy.
3. Popular Participation – For legitimacy to take place, various interest groups such as
political parties, pressure groups, and trade unions must be allowed to participate in
government affairs.
4. Foreign Diplomacy – The foreign policies adopted by a government determine its
legitimacy before other nations.
5. Good Government – When the government meets the expectations of the people, its
legitimacy is recognized. This is why some military governments seek to legitimize their
rule by implementing good policies.
6. Popular Support – If a government in power receives the support of the people, it is
legitimate. In modern democracy, the party that receives the greatest support in an
election forms the legitimate government.
7. Charisma of the leader.
8. Respect for the rule of law.
9. Popular support of the citizens.
10. Holding periodic free and fair elections.
11. Respect for fundamental human rights.
12. Responsible and responsive leadership.
13. Tolerance to opposing or divergent views.
14. Adoption of acceptable policies/good government.
15. Respect for the customs and traditions of the people.
16. Ability of the government to uphold the state's ideology.
17. Adherence to the provision of the constitution of the state.
18. Government that is popularly elected through free and fair elections.
19. Appreciable level of socio-economic development in the state by the government.
20. Acceptance of the government by the international community/international recognition.
21. Involvement and participation of the people in the management of the affairs of the state.
Ways of Acquiring Legitimacy
1. Charisma of the leaders.
2. Observance of rule of law.
3. Performance of government.
4. Method of changing government.
5. Acceptable ideology of the government, e.g., socialist, capitalist, etc.
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is defined as the supreme power of a state to exercise full legal authority over its
own affairs within its territory without any external control.
A French political philosopher, Jean Bodin (1530–1596), introduced the modern theory of
sovereignty.
He defined sovereignty as:
"Sovereignty is the supreme and final legal authority above and beyond which no further
legal power exists."
A sovereign state has the absolute power to make and enforce laws within its territory without
any external influence.
OR
Sovereignty
Sovereignty is derived from the Latin word "superanus" which means "supreme".
Sovereignty is the supreme power/authority of the state to manage its affairs and control its
territory without any external control or interference. It is the supreme power of the state to make
and enforce laws within its territory or jurisdiction without any external interference or influence.
The idea of sovereignty originated from Jean Bodin (1530-1596).
Characteristics of Sovereignty
1. Indivisibility.
2. Inalienability.
3. Permanence.
4. Exclusiveness.
5. Unity and originality.
6. Comprehensiveness.
7. Absoluteness or illimitability.
8. Independence of foreign control.
Types of Sovereignty
1. Legal Sovereignty – This is the power of a state to make laws and enforce them. The
body responsible for this is known as the legal sovereign (e.g., Parliament or Congress).
2. Political Sovereignty – The supreme power is vested in the electorate (the people),
who establish their government through voting. The people's mandate through the ballot
box forms the basis of government power.
3. Internal Sovereignty – This is the power of a state to exercise authority over its
citizens within its territorial boundaries.
4. External Sovereignty – This refers to the freedom from external control. A sovereign
government can conduct its internal and foreign affairs without external influence.
5. De facto Sovereignty – This refers to a body that acquires sovereignty through force.
It is evident when a government is seized through military invasion or revolution and
enforces obedience by force.
6. De jure Sovereignty – This type of sovereignty is acquired in accordance with the laws
of the land, without the use of force. It is the legitimate and legally recognized authority
of a government.
Location of Sovereignty in a State
Sovereignty can be located in any of the following:
1. Federal state
2. Unitary state
3. Military regime
4. Monarch state
5. The electorate