Which option best defines authority?

• A. The person or group that is in charge of a person, group or region
• B. An expert on a specific subject
• C. Official permission
• D. Power; the ability and right to control

Answer: (D)

Authority means having both the power to influence or command others and the legitimate right to do so. This combination is what lets someone direct actions and be regarded as rightful or rightful by others. That’s why the best definition includes both the ability to control and the recognized entitlement to exercise that control. If you think about it, simply being in charge describes a role, not the underlying legitimacy; expertise describes knowledge that can guide opinions, not necessarily the right to direct people; official permission is consent to do something, not ongoing leadership or governance. So authority is the blend of power and the right to use it.