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Political authority: meaning, definitions and examples

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political authority

[ pəˈlɪtɪkəl əˈθɒrɪti ]

Noun

^{Context #1 | Noun}

government

Political authority refers to the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience within a government or a specific area. It is the legitimate use of power to control and regulate the behavior of individuals within a society.

Synonyms

control, governmental power, jurisdiction.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
political authority	Used when referring to the general power or influence that political leaders or institutions hold. Often used in formal or academic discussions. The rise of new political authority in the region has brought significant changes. Questions about the limits of political authority are central to political theory.
governmental power	Specifically refers to the powers held by government institutions or officials. Commonly used in discussions about laws, policies, and administrative actions. Governmental power is often checked by constitutional limits. They debated the extent of governmental power in regulating industry.
jurisdiction	Used when referring to the official power to make legal decisions and judgments, particularly within a specific geographic area or over certain types of cases. The court has jurisdiction over cases involving federal law. The city police department does not have jurisdiction outside city limits.
control	Typically used when describing direct oversight or regulation of a specific area, organization, or process. Can have a slightly negative connotation when implying dominance. The central government maintains strict control over the country's media. She tried to wrest control of the committee from her rival.

Examples of usage

Political authority is necessary for maintaining order in a society.
The President's political authority allows him to make important decisions for the country.
The government's political authority extends to matters of national security.

Translations

Translations of the word "political authority" in other languages:

🇵🇹 autoridade política

🇮🇳 राजनीतिक अधिकार

🇩🇪 politische Autorität

🇮🇩 otoritas politik

🇺🇦 політична влада

🇵🇱 władza polityczna

🇯🇵 政治権力 (せいじけんりょく)

🇫🇷 autorité politique

🇪🇸 autoridad política

🇹🇷 siyasi otorite

🇰🇷 정치적 권위 (정치적 권한)

🇸🇦 السلطة السياسية

🇨🇿 politická autorita

🇸🇰 politická autorita

🇨🇳 政治权威 (zhèngzhì quánwēi)

🇸🇮 politična avtoriteta

🇮🇸 pólitísk yfirvald

🇰🇿 саяси билік

🇬🇪 პოლიტიკური ძალაუფლება

🇦🇿 siyasi səlahiyyət

🇲🇽 autoridad política

Etymology

The concept of political authority dates back to ancient civilizations where rulers asserted their power over territories and populations. Throughout history, various forms of government and political systems have emerged, each with its own understanding of authority and governance. The idea of political authority has been a subject of philosophical debate, with thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and John Locke offering different perspectives on the nature and legitimacy of political power.