Legitimacy of authority

• How is authority perceived as legitimate?

  It is agreed by society
• Most of us accept authority figures are allowed to exercise social power as it allows society to function
• What is a consequence of legitimacy of authority?

  Some people granted power to punish others
• We are willing to give up some independence to authority as we trust them to exercise their authority appropriately
• What is destructive authority?


  Where legitimate powers are used for destructive purposes
• What is an example of destructive authority?

  Ordering people to behave cruelly