Quote:
Originally posted by HarmlessRabbit
Freedom without force to back it up is largely a utopian ideal that doesn't exist in the real world.
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You could say that in practical terms, the ability to exercise POWER is related to the capacity of a person or nation to use force of arms but that AUTHORITY provides the means to organize and justify that exercise of power. In a democractic republic, political leaders lay claim to power based on authority derived from the will of the people.
If the Generals do not recognize the derived authority of the President, then the president has no practical power and a coup d'etat ensues. Likewise the soldiers don't recognize the authority of the Generals and the people don't recognize the authority of the soldiers. In each case chaos ensues. Society crumbles because people use force without derived authority.
Maybe then authority is necessary because it provides organization or structure to the use or threat of force against others and within a society. Authority needs force but force needs authority. Freedom ensues because authority creates consistency in the use of force.