You might have heard this term a few times, but you need to know what it means. Imagine what a state or nation would be like without laws. It would develop in a state of anarchy, which is characterized by a disregard for rights such as the right to own property and other freedoms. People in sovereign states are aware of the value of yielding to established authorities.
In this article, we will help you understand what constituted authority is and its importance in society.
What is Constituted Authority?
Constituted authority is the basis of all legitimate authority. It is the power or ability to make laws and regulations. This type of authority is given to someone or something through a formal process, such as an election or appointment. This type of authority can be found in many different settings, such as government, business, and even families. The concept of a constituted authority is important because it provides a way for people to maintain order and stability.
The importance of constituted authority lies in its ability to maintain order. In a society, the constituted authority provides a way for people to agree on a set of rules and regulations. This helps to prevent chaos and disorder, which can lead to problems such as crime. The constituted authority also provides a way for people to resolve disputes without resorting to violence.
It’s important to understand that constituted authority is not the same as absolute authority. With absolute authority, someone has the right to make decisions and orders without any input from anyone else. Constituted authority, on the other hand, requires input from others in order to be valid. This makes it more democratic, and it helps ensure that everyone affected by the decision has a say in it.
So, how Does Constituted Authority Work?
Once a person or thing has been given constituted authority, they can use it to make laws or regulations. These laws or regulations must then be followed by everyone in order to maintain order and stability. The constituted authority can also be used to punish people who don’t follow the laws or regulations.
How Is Constituted Authority Used?
There are many different ways that constituted authority can be used. It can be used to make laws and regulations, punish people who break the law, and provide guidance for people who need it. It can also be used to give legitimacy to someone’s power or position.
Examples of Constituted Authorities in Nigeria
There are six types of constituted authorities in Nigeria. They are the following:
1) President of the Republic: The President is the head of state and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He is also the chief executive officer of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
2) Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: The Vice President is the deputy head of state and also the deputy chief executive officer.
3) Governor of a State: The Governor is the chief executive officer of a state. He is responsible for the administration of state affairs.
4) Deputy Governor of a State: The Deputy Governor is the deputy chief executive officer and assists the governor in the discharge of his duties.
5) Chief Judge of a State: The Chief Judge is responsible for the administration of justice in a state.
6) Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum: The Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, represents all governors in Nigeria.
Types of Constituted Authority
There are four types of authority: Traditional, Democratic, Bureaucratic, and Charismatic. Each type of authority has its own characteristics, which can be used to distinguish between them. Traditional authority is based on the legitimacy of those who have inherited their position from their ancestors.
Democratic authority
A democratic authority is a system in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected representatives under a free electoral system. The term “democracy” first appeared in ancient Greek political and philosophical thought in the city-state of Athens during classical antiquity. The word comes from demos, “common people,” and Kratos, “power” or “rule.”
Different types of democracies find different forms of expression. Representative democracy, for example, allows citizens to elect politicians to represent their interests and make decisions on their behalf. Direct democracy, on the other hand, gives citizens the opportunity to participate directly in the political process, typically through referenda and citizen initiatives.
The importance of constituted authority stems from the fact that it provides a way for the collective will of the people to be expressed and enacted. It also helps to ensure that the rights of individuals are protected and that the interests of the community are served. In short, constituted authority helps to ensure that the democratic process works effectively.
The people are the source of all power in a democratic system. This system is based on the principle of majority rule, which means that the majority opinion governs.
Traditional authority
In traditional authority, the leader’s position is inherited. The leader has the authority by virtue of their birthright. For example, in a monarchy, the king or queen has the authority to rule because they were born into the royal family. In a tribal society, the chief or shaman has the authority to lead because they were born into a family with that tradition.
This type of authority was very common in the past when most societies were based on a hierarchical structure in which people were born into their position and had little chance of changing it. The king or queen was at the top of the hierarchy, followed by the nobility, the clergy, and the commoners. This system was justified by the belief that some people were born with the right to rule and that they had been given this right by God.
Charismatic authority
Charismatic authority is quite different from the other two types of authority mentioned earlier. Unlike traditional and Democratic authority, which depend on established rules and procedures, charismatic authority is based on the personal charisma of the leader.
A charismatic leader is one who is able to inspire and generate loyalty and support from followers. This type of leader often has a vision that they are able to communicate to others, which generates excitement and buy-in.
Charismatic leaders are often seen as larger-than-life figures, and they often have strong personalities and presence. Think of people like Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, or Mahatma Gandhi. These are people who were able to generate a lot of support and loyalty from others because of their charisma.
While charismatic leaders can be very effective, it’s important to note that this type of authority can also be abused. When people blindly follow a leader without question, it can lead to disastrous results.
Bureaucratic authority
The bureaucratic authority is the authority that is vested in the office and not in the person. The rules, regulations, and procedures are defined and are generally followed in this type of authority. In this type of authority, the decisions are taken on the basis of rationality. There are different types of organizations that follow bureaucratic authority. Government organizations, the military, and large corporations generally follow bureaucratic authority.
Bureaucratic authority is the authority that is vested in the office holder, and this type of authority cannot be transferred to another person. The main characteristics of bureaucratic authority are as follows:
– This type of authority is based on legal and organizational rules.
– The holder of this type of authority has the power to make decisions, and these decisions are binding on others.
– The office holder has the right to give orders, and these orders must be obeyed by others.
– The holder of this type of authority has the power to use physical force if necessary.
The main advantage of bureaucratic authority is that it ensures predictability and stability. This type of authority is very efficient in getting things done. The main disadvantage of bureaucratic authority is that it can be very inflexible and it can lead to bureaucracy.
Importance of Constituted Authority
Without leaders, a community, sovereign state, or nation is not likely to advance on the social, economic, or political levels. We require formed authorities for the following reasons.
Ensuring the accomplishment of common objectives for the benefit of everyone
The constituted authority has the responsibility to ensure the accomplishment of common objectives for the benefit of everyone. They are also saddled with the task of maintaining harmonious relationships within society.
The constituted authority has the legal backing to compel obedience to its directives and orders. It can also impose sanctions on violators of its laws and regulations. The ultimate goal of the constituted authority is to protect life and property as well as ensure the safety of everyone in the society.
Establishment of a sense of direction
The constituted authority is the body that has been given the authority to perform certain functions by another body. The functions delegated to the constituted authority may be governmental or non-governmental in nature. The main purpose of establishing a constituted authority is to provide a sense of direction to the people who are working towards a common goal.
The constituted authority may be established by the government or any other organization. It is important to note that the constituted authority is not vested with any legal powers. The only thing that the authority can do is to request the concerned bodies to take action against any erring individual or organization.
Maintenance of peace and order
For example, if you are a symbol of authority in your area, you are also responsible for the maintenance of peace and order in your area of responsibility. You will have to use all the means at your disposal to prevent and stop any act which may disturb the peace or order. You will have to take firm and prompt action against any person who tries to break law and order. If the situation arises, you may even have to use force to control the situation. You will be held responsible if any violence or lawlessness takes place in your area of responsibility.
Preservation of the people’s culture
One of the main purposes of constituted authority is to preserve the culture of the people. This is done by maintaining peace and order within the society and by ensuring that the people are able to freely practice their traditions and customs.
Constituted authority also plays a vital role in protecting the rights of the people. It does this by ensuring that everyone is treated equally under the law and by providing a fair and just system of governance.
Finally, constituted authority helps to promote economic development by providing a stable and conducive environment for businesses to operate in. This creates jobs and wealth, which in turn benefits the society as a whole.
How can we respect those in positions of authority?
Constituted authority is the legal or legitimate power that’s been delegated to someone. And this authority can come from a government, an organization, or even an individual.
Now that we’ve got that out of the way let’s talk about how we can respect those in positions of authority. Here are seven ways:
– Show them the same courtesy and respect you would want to be shown.
– Listen to them and be open to their suggestions and feedback.
– Don’t interrupt them when they’re speaking.
– Be positive and cooperative.
– Be on time for meetings and appointments.
– Follow the rules and regulations that have been put in place.
– If you have a problem with someone in authority, try to resolve it in a calm and constructive manner.
Conclusion
In short, constituted authority is the legal or legitimate power that a person or organization has to exercise control over others. It is usually granted by a government or other authority and is based on the belief that the authority is legitimate and that it will be used for the good of those it governs. Constituted authority is important because it allows for the orderly and peaceful functioning of society.