Which term refers to legitimate power that is institutional in nature?

• A. Power
• B. Legitimate
• C. Illegitimate
• D. Authority

Answer: (D)

Authority is the form of power that is recognized as legitimate and rests in official roles and institutional frameworks. When someone holds a position within laws, rules, or organizational structures, people obey because the power comes from that institution, not merely from personal force or charisma. This legitimacy comes from the belief that the office or role has the right to govern or direct behavior, supported by formal norms and procedures. In sociology, rational-legal authority is a key example, where authority stems from legal rules and the offices themselves rather than the personal qualities of the leader. For instance, the police enforce laws because their role is defined by the legal system, and a judge issues rulings because of the office they hold. So the term that captures legitimate, institutionally grounded power is authority.