In [[politics]], '''authority''' ([[Latin language|Latin]] ''[[auctoritas]]'', used in [[Roman law]] as opposed to ''[[potestas]]'' and ''[[imperium]]'') is often used interchangeably with the term "[[Power (sociology)|power]]". However, their meanings differ. "Power" refers to the ability to achieve certain ends, 'authority' refers to the legitimacy, justification and right to exercise that power. For example whilst a Crowd/mob has the power to punish a criminal, such as through lynching, only the courts have the authority to order capital punishment. | In [[politics]], '''authority''' ([[Latin language|Latin]] ''[[auctoritas]]'', used in [[Roman law]] as opposed to ''[[potestas]]'' and ''[[imperium]]'') is often used interchangeably with the term "[[Power (sociology)|power]]". However, their meanings differ. "Power" refers to the ability to achieve certain ends, 'authority' refers to the legitimacy, justification and right to exercise that power. For example whilst a Crowd/mob has the power to punish a criminal, such as through lynching, only the courts have the authority to order capital punishment. |