essay about power and authority

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14.1 Power and Authority

Learning objectives.

Define power and the three types of authority.
List Weber’s three types of authority.
Explain why charismatic authority may be unstable in the long run.

Politics refers to the distribution and exercise of power within a society, and polity refers to the political institution through which power is distributed and exercised. In any society, decisions must be made regarding the allocation of resources and other matters. Except perhaps in the simplest societies, specific people and often specific organizations make these decisions. Depending on the society, they sometimes make these decisions solely to benefit themselves and other times make these decisions to benefit the society as a whole. Regardless of who benefits, a central point is this: some individuals and groups have more power than others. Because power is so essential to an understanding of politics, we begin our discussion of politics with a discussion of power.

Power refers to the ability to have one’s will carried out despite the resistance of others. Most of us have seen a striking example of raw power when we are driving a car and see a police car in our rearview mirror. At that particular moment, the driver of that car has enormous power over us. We make sure we strictly obey the speed limit and all other driving rules. If, alas, the police car’s lights are flashing, we stop the car, as otherwise we may be in for even bigger trouble. When the officer approaches our car, we ordinarily try to be as polite as possible and pray we do not get a ticket. When you were 16 and your parents told you to be home by midnight or else, your arrival home by this curfew again illustrated the use of power, in this case parental power. If a child in middle school gives her lunch to a bully who threatens her, that again is an example of the use of power, or, in this case, the misuse of power.

These are all vivid examples of power, but the power that social scientists study is both grander and, often, more invisible (Wrong, 1996). Much of it occurs behind the scenes, and scholars continue to debate who is wielding it and for whose benefit they wield it. Many years ago Max Weber (1921/1978), one of the founders of sociology discussed in earlier chapters, distinguished legitimate authority as a special type of power. Legitimate authority (sometimes just called authority ), Weber said, is power whose use is considered just and appropriate by those over whom the power is exercised. In short, if a society approves of the exercise of power in a particular way, then that power is also legitimate authority. The example of the police car in our rearview mirrors is an example of legitimate authority.

Weber’s keen insight lay in distinguishing different types of legitimate authority that characterize different types of societies, especially as they evolve from simple to more complex societies. He called these three types traditional authority, rational-legal authority, and charismatic authority. We turn to these now.

Traditional Authority

As the name implies, traditional authority is power that is rooted in traditional, or long-standing, beliefs and practices of a society. It exists and is assigned to particular individuals because of that society’s customs and traditions. Individuals enjoy traditional authority for at least one of two reasons. The first is inheritance, as certain individuals are granted traditional authority because they are the children or other relatives of people who already exercise traditional authority. The second reason individuals enjoy traditional authority is more religious: their societies believe they are anointed by God or the gods, depending on the society’s religious beliefs, to lead their society. Traditional authority is common in many preindustrial societies, where tradition and custom are so important, but also in more modern monarchies (discussed shortly), where a king, queen, or prince enjoys power because she or he comes from a royal family.

Traditional authority is granted to individuals regardless of their qualifications. They do not have to possess any special skills to receive and wield their authority, as their claim to it is based solely on their bloodline or supposed divine designation. An individual granted traditional authority can be intelligent or stupid, fair or arbitrary, and exciting or boring but receives the authority just the same because of custom and tradition. As not all individuals granted traditional authority are particularly well qualified to use it, societies governed by traditional authority sometimes find that individuals bestowed it are not always up to the job.

Rational-Legal Authority

If traditional authority derives from custom and tradition, rational-legal authority derives from law and is based on a belief in the legitimacy of a society’s laws and rules and in the right of leaders to act under these rules to make decisions and set policy. This form of authority is a hallmark of modern democracies, where power is given to people elected by voters, and the rules for wielding that power are usually set forth in a constitution, a charter, or another written document. Whereas traditional authority resides in an individual because of inheritance or divine designation, rational-legal authority resides in the office that an individual fills, not in the individual per se. The authority of the president of the United States thus resides in the office of the presidency, not in the individual who happens to be president. When that individual leaves office, authority transfers to the next president. This transfer is usually smooth and stable, and one of the marvels of democracy is that officeholders are replaced in elections without revolutions having to be necessary. We might not have voted for the person who wins the presidency, but we accept that person’s authority as our president when he (so far it has always been a “he”) assumes office.

Rational-legal authority helps ensure an orderly transfer of power in a time of crisis. When John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, Vice President Lyndon Johnson was immediately sworn in as the next president. When Richard Nixon resigned his office in disgrace in 1974 because of his involvement in the Watergate scandal, Vice President Gerald Ford (who himself had become vice president after Spiro Agnew resigned because of financial corruption) became president. Because the U.S. Constitution provided for the transfer of power when the presidency was vacant, and because U.S. leaders and members of the public accept the authority of the Constitution on these and so many other matters, the transfer of power in 1963 and 1974 was smooth and orderly.

Charismatic Authority

Charismatic authority stems from an individual’s extraordinary personal qualities and from that individual’s hold over followers because of these qualities. Such charismatic individuals may exercise authority over a whole society or only a specific group within a larger society. They can exercise authority for good and for bad, as this brief list of charismatic leaders indicates: Joan of Arc, Adolf Hitler, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Jesus Christ, Muhammad, and Buddha. Each of these individuals had extraordinary personal qualities that led their followers to admire them and to follow their orders or requests for action.

Much of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s appeal as a civil rights leader stemmed from his extraordinary speaking skills and other personal qualities that accounted for his charismatic authority.

U.S. Library of Congress – public domain.

Charismatic authority can reside in a person who came to a position of leadership because of traditional or rational-legal authority. Over the centuries, several kings and queens of England and other European nations were charismatic individuals as well (while some were far from charismatic). A few U.S. presidents—Washington, Lincoln, both Roosevelts, Kennedy, Reagan, and, for all his faults, even Clinton—also were charismatic, and much of their popularity stemmed from various personal qualities that attracted the public and sometimes even the press. Ronald Reagan, for example, was often called “the Teflon president,” because he was so loved by much of the public that accusations of ineptitude or malfeasance did not stick to him (Lanoue, 1988).

Weber emphasized that charismatic authority in its pure form (i.e., when authority resides in someone solely because of the person’s charisma and not because the person also has traditional or rational-legal authority) is less stable than traditional authority or rational-legal authority. The reason for this is simple: once charismatic leaders die, their authority dies as well. Although a charismatic leader’s example may continue to inspire people long after the leader dies, it is difficult for another leader to come along and command people’s devotion as intensely. After the deaths of all the charismatic leaders named in the preceding paragraph, no one came close to replacing them in the hearts and minds of their followers.

Because charismatic leaders recognize that their eventual death may well undermine the nation or cause they represent, they often designate a replacement leader, who they hope will also have charismatic qualities. This new leader may be a grown child of the charismatic leader or someone else the leader knows and trusts. The danger, of course, is that any new leaders will lack sufficient charisma to have their authority accepted by the followers of the original charismatic leader. For this reason, Weber recognized that charismatic authority ultimately becomes more stable when it is evolves into traditional or rational-legal authority. Transformation into traditional authority can happen when charismatic leaders’ authority becomes accepted as residing in their bloodlines, so that their authority passes to their children and then to their grandchildren. Transformation into rational-legal authority occurs when a society ruled by a charismatic leader develops the rules and bureaucratic structures that we associate with a government. Weber used the term routinization of charisma to refer to the transformation of charismatic authority in either of these ways.

Key Takeaways

Power refers to the ability to have one’s will carried out despite the resistance of others.
According to Max Weber, the three types of legitimate authority are traditional, rational-legal, and charismatic.
Charismatic authority is relatively unstable because the authority held by a charismatic leader may not easily extend to anyone else after the leader dies.

For Your Review

Think of someone, either a person you have known or a national or historical figure, whom you regard as a charismatic leader. What is it about this person that makes her or him charismatic?
Why is rational-legal authority generally more stable than charismatic authority?

Lanoue, D. J. (1988). From Camelot to the teflon president: Economics and presidential popularaity since 1960. New York, NY: Greenwood Press.

Weber, M. (1978). Economy and society: An outline of interpretive sociology (G. Roth & C. Wittich, Eds.). Berkeley: University of California Press. (Original work published 1921).

Wrong, D. H. (1996). Power: Its forms, bases, and uses . New Brunswick, NJ: Transaction.

Essay on Power And Authority

Students are often asked to write an essay on Power And Authority in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Power And Authority

Understanding power and authority.

Power and authority are big ideas that affect our lives every day. Power means having the ability to do something or control others. Authority is the right to give orders and make decisions. They are like two sides of a coin. When someone has power, they can influence others, while authority is when they are officially allowed to do so.

Types of Power

There are different kinds of power. Some people have power because they are strong or smart. Others have power because of their job, like teachers or police officers. Money can also give people power, as it can buy things and influence.

Authority in Everyday Life

Authority is seen in places like schools, where teachers have the authority to lead classes. In families, parents have authority over their children. Governments have authority over citizens, creating laws that people must follow to keep order in society.

Using Power and Authority

Power and authority should be used fairly. Leaders who have these should think about what is best for everyone, not just themselves. When used right, they can help make the world a better place. But if used wrongly, they can cause harm and unfairness.

250 Words Essay on Power And Authority

Power and authority are big ideas that help us understand who gets to make decisions and who must follow them. Imagine a school. The principal has the authority to run it, making rules that students and teachers follow. That’s because the principal is given this power by higher-ups in the education system.

Power can come in different forms. One kind is when someone can make others do things because they are strong or can offer rewards. For example, a big brother might have the power to decide what game to play because he’s older and stronger. Another kind is when people listen to someone because they respect their knowledge or skills, like a doctor giving health advice.

Authority Comes with Responsibility

When someone has authority, it means they are in charge of others and must look after them. It’s not just about telling people what to do; it’s also about making sure things go right. For instance, a bus driver has the authority to tell passengers to sit down, so everyone stays safe.

Using Power and Authority Well

It’s important for people with power and authority to use it in a good way. They should make fair rules and treat everyone equally. If they don’t, people might not listen to them anymore. Just like in a game, if the person in charge is unfair, players might stop playing.

To sum up, power and authority are about who gets to make the rules and why. They are important for keeping order, but they must be used with care and fairness.

500 Words Essay on Power And Authority

When we talk about power and authority, we’re discussing who is in charge and who makes the rules. Power is the ability to do something or control others, while authority is the right given to a person or group to use power. They are like two sides of the same coin and are very important in how groups of people, like countries or schools, are run.

Power can come from different places. One kind is physical power, like being strong enough to lift something heavy. Another kind is having knowledge, which means knowing lots of things that others don’t. There’s also social power, which means having lots of friends or followers who will listen to you. Money can give power too, because with it, you can buy things and influence people.

Authority and Its Sources

Authority is when people agree that someone should be in charge. This can happen in different ways. Sometimes, a person has authority because of their job, like a teacher in a classroom. Other times, it might be because of tradition, like a king or queen in a country. Laws and rules also give people authority, like when police officers are allowed to keep places safe.

People with power and authority have a big responsibility. They need to use it to help others and make fair decisions. If someone with authority uses their power in a bad way, like being mean to others or not following the rules themselves, it can cause a lot of problems. It’s important for those with power to listen to the people they’re in charge of and to use their power in a good way.

Power and Authority in Everyday Life

We see power and authority all around us. Parents have authority over their children, teachers over students, and bosses over workers. Even among friends, some may have more influence than others. It’s something that happens in families, schools, workplaces, and governments. Understanding how it works helps us know when to follow someone’s lead and when to speak up if power is being used unfairly.

Challenges With Power and Authority

Sometimes people disagree about who should have power and what they should do with it. This can lead to arguments or even fights. It’s important for everyone to talk about these issues and try to find solutions that are best for the group. In a classroom, this might mean voting for a class president. In a country, it means having elections where everyone gets to choose their leaders.

Power and authority are big ideas that affect how we live together. They can help keep things organized and safe, but they can also be used in the wrong way. By understanding what they are and how they should be used, we can all help make sure that our families, schools, and countries are fair and kind places for everyone. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility, and it’s up to all of us to use it wisely.

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Distinction Between Power and Authority Essay

Canadian supreme court, president of the united states, leader of a biker gang, role of the state in shaping a nation’s culture.

Power is defined as the ability to influence other people into doing something without questioning. Power can be personal, legitimate, or official, depending on its acceptability and legitimacy. It is directly exercised on a subordinate who is expected to obey and follow the given directions. The persons involved tend to respect the orders delivered not out of willingness but under pressure to comply (Garner et al., 2009). On the other hand, authority is the right given to a holder of a specific position to make decisions, but with certain limits. It is exercised on colleagues as opposed to power, which is exerted on subordinates. The person who assumes authority has the liberty to exercise such rights that they may deem to fit. Authority is explicitly outlined, and thus it is fixed and well defined as opposed to power, which is the innate ability of the person that holds a given office. It is not limited or described vividly. The giver of authority can also take it easy, while power cannot be accepted (Garner et al., 2009). Also, control is not coercive or forceful, but it involves convincing people of a given decision’s validity. In exercising authority, one influences people to do what is right and helpful. For example, an author who affects people into reading their writings can be said to use their authority.

The Supreme Court is the highest in the country with jurisdiction to hear and consider all cases. It is designed to listen to lower courts’ appeals where a patient has been omitted in an earlier decision. The decision made by judges of this court is final, and it cannot be appealed. Therefore, this aspect means that the court exercises power and not authority since the appellants have to abide by its decisions. The court possesses a kind of official capacity to influence individuals seeking justice to abide by its rules without questions. Also, the court ruling sets rules that must be obeyed by the lower courts when delivering their verdicts. This aspect is proof that the judge in this court exercise powers and not authority. The concept is further illustrated by the view that the court is independent (under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms ), and thus it possesses some degree of dictatorship as no other branch of government can influence its decisions. This form of power cannot be quickly taken away as opposed to authority whereby the holder of such can be deprived of it.

Authority is subjective, and it depends on the person who has much influence on other people due to his or her reputation. It is a kind of rightful power used in a positive way. Such authority, if used in a coercive and assertive manner, translates to energy and dictatorship. In light of this statement, the U.S. president only exercises control given to him/her by the citizens since he or she does not abuse this privilege. The president is thus expected to respect the constitution and the laws governing the scope of his or her responsibilities. This way, he or she is said to exercise authority bestowed upon him or her by the citizens after elections and limited by the constitution. Furthermore, the power can be quickly taken away by the same citizens through elections or a vote of no confidence passed by the people’s representatives. These facts lead to the conclusion that the U.S. president only exercises his or her authority as provided by law.

Biker gangs are outlawed groups in the United States, as they are believed to engage in criminal acts (Dulaney, 2005). They are well-established groups with hierarchical leadership. The leaders of these groups have high commanding power, and their subordinates must act as directed. In order to qualify as a member of this social unit, one has to perform various manual tasks at the initial stages under the command of the leaders. Junior members are sent on missions involving criminal acts, which they have to engage in since they cannot question the authority of the leaders. All these elements are clear indicators of power as opposed to management. The leaders’ powers are not limited, and thus they have the ability to give any form of the command to their subordinates. They can decide to suspend or even lay off any member who defies their orders without consulting anyone.

One way that a government can accomplish this mission is through passing laws aimed at encouraging healthy relations with foreign countries. This goal is achievable via the signing of agreements that facilitate the acquisition of citizenship by people from foreign countries and their protection when in a foreign country (Graseck, 2008). It can also be achieved through trade agreements whereby foreigners acquire the right to invest anywhere around the world. An excellent example of such a move is the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT), which enable people of different cultural backgrounds to interrelate.

Another significant role is that of establishing a common religion for all states. Most states have adopted a single official religion to help in integrating different cultures. An example of this aspect occurred during the Roman Empire, where Christianity was recognized as the official religion in a bid to bring cultural stability to the empire. In other countries where Islam is a dominant religion, in Afghanistan, for example, Islam has been declared as the official religion. This move has worked quite well in various countries where citizens are quick to embrace the set faith. Another example is England, whose leaders declared Anglicanism as the official religion. However, this move did not come without resistance from the minorities who view it as discriminatory, and thus they were reluctant to comply. In some cases, minorities have even resorted to violence as a way of resistance and deviance.

The third move is the implementation of democracy, which has so far been embraced by most countries across the world. Citizens are given a chance to elect leaders of their choice in a free and fair election, which has boosted peace all over the world. This aspect, together with the development of modern infrastructure, has facilitated migration and interactions, thus leading to a notable change in the cultural status of different groups in society.

Dulaney, W. (2005). A Brief History of “Outlaw” Motorcycle Clubs. Web.

Garner, R., Ferdinand, P., Lawson, S., & MacDonald, D. (2009). Introduction to Politics: First Canadian Edition . Oxford, U.K.: Oxford University Press.

Graseck, S. (2008). Explore the past to understand the present and shape the future. Social Education, 72 (7), 327-370. Web.

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Power And Authority Essay

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Government , Authority , Freedom , Knowledge , Democracy , Cinema , Management , Education

Words: 1000

Published: 01/26/2020

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In the two works the Tempest, William Shakespeare play and Julie Taymor’s film the Tempest, there is a quench for power that is never ending and it is an inexorable and popular theme in the whole drama. In the drama there is a duel between the antagonists and protagonists for control of the island. Power is expressed in a manner that control and want for power is what people crave for, and they portray others as minorities to exhibit power. In relation to power, authority comes in where with the power at hand one is able to display authority or becomes authoritative on others who are less powerful or of less authority. So with the power comes the authority and that is what is portrayed in the two works as is discussed below.

William Shakespeare the Tempest (play) and Julie Taymor the Tempest (film)

In the play and film the characters have a different understanding of class and social structure. Social and class structure is understood in a way that there is a chain of command or being where there is a place for everything and everyone. An example is there is God who is at the top, then angels are below him, and then humans follow. Every person knows their position and place and even though there is flexibility in the structures socially, if by chance something or someone moves from their place this can result into chaos or lack of order. From the play it is evident that according to the Elizabethan beliefs social spots are fixed. King is King and it is God –given. In relation to the play Antonio takes hold of power from Prospero his older brother who is rightfully supposed to take the throne. This act is seen as a wrong and it results to rebellions, mutinies, political treachery, and conspiracies. This made Prospero to raise up a storm that would kill his brother Antonio and the King which will grant him access to kingship. Power and authority makes the characters in the play and film interpret events differently with regard to their social and class structure. From the play the characters interpret events based on what power and authority they have. An example is when Gonzalo a mere councilor is not able to defend himself from the Lords who are royalty. Even the king cannot defend Gonzalo although he did it for him just because the Lords are of royalty. The play also passes the message that reminds everyone to be cautious with the status and titles that goes with them which influences how they treat events. This also is what sets the play’s tone, in a way that men’s titles are cared for less by natural elements. An example is Gonzalo setting out his perfect society. In relation to power and authority, is it necessary that with knowledge one has access to power? Does knowledge really have an influence on power? From the play and film, his brother Antonio takes Prospero’s dukedom from him when he pursues learning in liberal arts, which is apparently a more honorable course than political power. This contradicts the statement that with knowledge comes power since that knowledge has led to losing of power by Prospero. Miranda due to her education has been elevated and therefore has power over those who come to the island while Caliban despite having knowledge of the whole island submits to two drunkards. From the examples an opinion that knowledge works in both ways for those who seek power. Knowledge in one hand gives one power in some instances and in the other hand certain instances it deprives one of power. Power and authority also has an effect or a part to play in slavery, servitude, and freedom. The characters in the play and film use different ways to acquire freedom from slavery and servitude. Of the slaves are Caliban, Ariel, Prospero, Alonso, Antonio, Sebastian, and Ferdinand. Firstly Caliban has two master. The first being Prospero who he submits to since he does not have a master. Caliban frees himself from Prospero by submitting to other masters who are the drunks. He submits to them since they offer him alcohol and since they are alternatives to his other master. He later on gains his freedom from the two drunks since they lost their alcohol and therefore did not have an edge over him. Power comes in where his masters both had power over him since Prospero had magical powers and the drunks had alcohol that gave them the power which overall made both masters have authority over him. Secondly Ariel who is a slave to Prospero because he saved her from being imprisoned by Sycorax in a tree. Ariel gains freedom from Prospero by gaining trust and loyalty from him and finally he asks for his freedom. Prospero from seeing how loyal and trustworthy he is decides to grant him freedom. Power and authority comes in where Prospero uses his magical advantage over Ariel to control and have authority over him. Thirdly, Antonio enslaves his brother Prospero from his right of ruling. He gains access to this after several attempts to pass on a message through ill and right ways. He threatens them against further betrayal and he gains his right to become ruler of Naples. Fourth, Alonso, Sebastian, and Alonso are also enslaved by their guilt of what they did to Prospero. They fear and are dreadful of the part they played in the expulsion of Prospero. They are freed from this when Prospero becomes rightful king and when he forgives them for what they did. In conclusion both works portray similar items with concern to the topic at hand and therefore are the same with regard to this aspect of discussion.

Works Cited

Shakespeare, William, and Virginia Mason Vaughan. The tempest. London: Bloomsbury, 2011. Print. The tempest. Dir. Julie Taymor. Perf. Helen Mirren, Djimon Hounsou, Russell Brand . Touchstone Home Entertainment :, 2011. DVD.

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Power, Authority, and Influence, Essay Example

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The issue of professional success to many African-American has been a real dream due to insensitive corporate cultures, racism and issues related to social economic factors. To many these stabling obstacles has shuttered the possibility of excellence. These do not involve the high profile elites or those people who are already on the field of success and highly ranked in leadership positions. These bring the difference in carrier opportunities among many raising issues of where the advantaged get their support and strategies used to excel in certain well developed organisations. Following such shortcomings, several guidelines have been developed to facilitate more opportunities to all stakeholders. They include proper management of relationships that will be vital in securing meaningful and influential positions in business. Developing the sixth sense that aids the game apart from reading the written rules. The power to overcome isolation, not only in the place of organisation but also raising a voice that will be heard and respected by all will help address the problem of under privileges. The other thing is owns trustworthiness and potentiality in managing any present issue of racism that comes along in business. Similarly, understanding what true power is and how to compete and acquire that power not forgetting to translate it into substantial leadership. Pioneering these great changes will form a route for other future generations facilitating them to achieve even greater returns. (Cobbs, Turnock 2003 pg1-6).

According to Cobbs & Turnock, (2003), these issues of power, authority and influence confines within workplace. It focuses mostly on issues pertain to leadership. In some instances Paul Banks was forced to sacrifice important activities in favour of others but several circumstances that had to be met to accomplish the mission or hit the target of interest was not be that appealing thus an option of quick withdrawal from the deal followed. These happened in a case of job positions where she was promised of advancement or high rank if only she could waits for more than eight years, considering her objectives and goals on target, that was beyond reach and refusing it was the only way to avoid humiliation. The fact that she was a female could have been the reason. (Academic recourse centre inc. 2009 par 2).

The ability to exert influence over one’s environment is the power and an active role that affects ones control and social discipline in business. Social and self discipline is part of supportive processes that determine social justice by offering a unifying model that can optimize all uses of power and authority. Therefore, through maximizing of social engagement by being active in community building and reactive response to wrong doings was one of solutions to getting corporate power and influence. Use of force to establish social discipline by the authority to ensure that people do the right is applied and fear of punishment keeps the subordinate under control.

As stated by Kim & Mauborgne (1997)Punitive cultures suppresses the discussion of who has power and how it is exercised, instead of community being involved in discussion of social goals and social discipline those privileges are left to elites. They generate resentment resistance and concentrate social power at the top where problems are solved closed doors, plans made inside managerial spheres. Decisive participation from other sources or people whose their lives are determined by those issues are left out in a state of disempowerment and distrust of authorities hence both active and passive resistance. Following such allegations a punitive power solving approach that involve zero tolerant is adopted. These is a positive response to misbehaviour that include punishment and use of criminal charges that exiles subordinates from social folds to positively impact their behaviours. Practices like effective statements and questions encourage direct and emotional communication between members. Informal meeting helps to resolve problems or share positive experiences while learning about one another, building relationships and trust hence setting behavioural standards and problem solving. The voices of underground personels are clearly brought out in the way in which they participate in communal conversation allowing them to tell their stories. Therefore, some simple processes like participatory decision making in a family and in the community to collectively plan for certain undertakings plays a great role in developing power and influence in business.

Since justice restoration plays a vital role in creation and building of social capital, it is vital to implement it in any social institution including even micro-levels of the family. These processes of formal and informal using high levels of control and support have the potential to transform the use of authority in the society. The presence of power can never be ignored instead requires a creative approach with such restorations radically changing how we talk about power and authority and who are included in our conversation hence in these restorative conditions the individuals and community can get adequate social potential to suppress the punitive manifested by authority (Bailie 2009 par1-7).

Works Cited

Academic recourse centre inc. Papers on “Power and Authority at Work” and similar term paper topics Retrieved on August 2, 2009 from<http://209.85.129.132/searchq=cache:dEcPsQSXtIwJ:www.academon.com/lib/paper/94183.html+How+Frank+Fountain+and+Paula+Banks+acquired+corporate&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk> (2009) par 2.

Bailie J “Power, Authority and Restorative Practices” Retrieved on August 2nd 2009 from<http://209.85.129.132/search?q=cache:bpO8l3iPZs0J:www.iirp.org/r ealjustice/library/power_authority.html+Power,+Authority,+and+Influence+Discipli ne+in+Business&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk>( 2009) par1-7.

Cobbs P M, Turnock J L “The Revealing Success Stories of 32 African-American Executives,” A Book on Cracking the Corporate Code, Retrieved on August 2, 2009 from <http://www.amacombooks.org/book.cfm?isbn=9780814407714> (2003)par 1-7.

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Antigone — An Analysis of Power, Authority and Truth in Antigone, a Play by Sophocles

An Analysis of Power, Authority and Truth in Antigone, a Play by Sophocles

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An Analysis of Power, Authority and Truth in Antigone, a Play by Sophocles Essay

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Key Differences

Know the Differences & Comparisons

Difference Between Power and Authority

Many of us think that these two terms are one and the same thing, but there exists a fine line of difference between power and authority. While the former is exercised in a personal capacity, the latter is used in a professional capacity. So, on this topic, we are going to throw light on the basic differences between the two, have a look.

Content: Power Vs Authority

Comparison chart, definition of power.

By the term power, we mean the personal capacity of an individual to influence others to do or not to do an act. It is independent and informal in nature derived from charisma and status. It is an acquired ability that comes from knowledge and expertise. It is the right to control other’s actions, decisions and performances.

Power is not hierarchical, i.e. it can flow in any direction like it can flow from superior to subordinate (downward) or junior to senior (upward), or between the persons working at the same level, but different departments of the same organization (horizontal), or between the persons working at different levels and departments of the same organization (diagonal). In this way, it is not confined to any boundaries. Moreover, the element of politics is usually attached to it.

Definition of Authority

Authority is legal and formal right to a person, who can take decisions, give orders and commands to others to perform a particular task. It is conferred to high officials, to accomplish organisation’s objectives. It is hierarchical in nature, it flows downward, i.e. delegated from superior to the subordinate.

In general, authority is exercised to get things done through others. It is attached to the position, i.e. any person who gets the position enjoys the authority attached to it, the higher the position, the higher would be his authority. As the authority lies in the designation, in the absence of authority, the position offered to the person would be of no use. Moreover, it is restricted to the organisation only.

Key Differences Between Power and Authority

The difference between power and authority can be drawn clearly on the following grounds:

Power is defined as the ability or potential of an individual to influence others and control their actions. Authority is the legal and formal right to give orders and commands, and take decisions.
Power is a personal trait, i.e. an acquired ability, whereas authority is a formal right, that vest in the hands of high officials or management personnel.
The major source of power is knowledge and expertise. On the other hand, position and office determine the authority of a person.
Power flows in any direction, i.e. it can be upward, downward, crosswise or diagonal, lateral. As opposed to authority, that flows only in one direction, i.e. downward (from superior to subordinate).
The power lies in person, in essence, a person acquires it, but authority lies in the designation, i.e. whoever get the designation, get the authority attached to it.
Authority is legitimate whereas the power is not.

After reviewing the above points, it is quite clear that power and authority are two different things, where power has nothing to do with level or management or position. On the other hand, authority completely depends on these two, i.e. the position level determines the level of authority a person has. In addition to this, the authority relationships, i.e. the relationship between superior and subordinate are depicted on the organisational chart. Conversely, the power relationship is not shown in the organisation chart.

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August 20, 2017 at 1:54 pm

Nice,easy to know the unknown things

magdalene says

January 19, 2021 at 8:10 pm

January 22, 2021 at 2:30 pm

You’ve done it well

Nimisha mishra says

October 25, 2017 at 7:20 pm

Very easy to understand and language was simple too! Thank you for this article

November 19, 2017 at 4:46 pm

Simple and easy way of defining the two into various point. Helped me alot for my presentation. Thank you.

November 29, 2017 at 6:32 pm

really understandable concept in a very comfortable way..

Thank you So much…

Ofori samuel says

December 13, 2017 at 8:48 pm

In short, “let authorities keep you, power will come and set you free “. Perfect explanation. Thanks

December 26, 2017 at 5:41 pm

Thank you for an excellent piece.

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January 31, 2018 at 8:48 pm

I love your hard work but can you help to create my own blog

Lindiwe says

April 25, 2018 at 5:14 pm

I would like to know or understand the relationship between Power, Authority and Leadership

Sirius Q says

December 1, 2019 at 7:02 pm

Try and look at Responsibility vs Accountability in relation to Power vs Authority. That may help regarding understanding leadership.

Muksed Ali says

May 3, 2018 at 2:45 pm

Wow! Excellent

Surbhi S says

May 11, 2018 at 3:15 pm

To all the readers, Thanks a lot for continuously appreciating Key Differences and supporting us. It motivates us to do better. Keep reading 🙂

May 14, 2018 at 11:34 pm

Wonderful article…easy to understand….fully satisfied….thank you…😄

Millicent E Parker says

February 6, 2019 at 10:39 am

When the Jewish Rabbis questioned Jesus’ dealings with demons, sicknesses & diseases that plagued people, showed that they well understood the difference between Power & Authority. The Comparison Chart has clearly defined sound dissect-ing of these words. I love it. Thanks.

Isa Musa Uba says

May 13, 2019 at 3:07 am

Wow so understandtable.

May 13, 2019 at 6:56 pm

Succinctly put. its not better anywhere! you’ve got the power of key differences.

Mercy Kaumba says

June 19, 2019 at 5:54 pm

Thanks so much for the clear and well articulated work, my mind is now open.

Muhammad Adamu says

July 9, 2019 at 2:53 pm

Thank you for this article.

August 24, 2019 at 9:34 pm

You are amazing thanks alot

Travis says

October 2, 2019 at 1:31 am

i like this website

October 11, 2020 at 2:59 am

Very useful information format to use when showing that the Roman fasces

McSmoke says

October 23, 2020 at 6:10 pm

Thank you very much for making this easier to understand. This is very useful in determining the boundaries between power and authority, indeed. Gotcha!

Gilead maurice says

December 9, 2020 at 2:06 am

This has clearly outlined what have been looking for..awesome content

Tefera says

January 21, 2021 at 1:06 pm

You put the difference in a nutshell and understandable way. So wonderful! Thanks a lot

Godwin says

October 4, 2021 at 5:39 pm

Excellent answer and good information.

reyhan says

December 3, 2021 at 11:44 am

thanks a lot of information

ibrahim isah says

March 7, 2022 at 5:09 pm

extremely easy to understand the difference between power and authority excellence

NSABIMANA LIVINGSTONE says

March 10, 2022 at 8:43 am

It has been crystal clear differentiating power and authority. Before I could notably differentiate the two but now I will give a good presentation.

Aungwa Desmond msughter says

May 19, 2022 at 12:54 am

Very good and self explanative

Adv Sajjid Ali says

August 5, 2022 at 11:58 pm

Thank you so much! good information and the difference between power and authority. Once again thank you so much. May God bless you.

Repent says

October 21, 2022 at 6:42 pm

The point is very understandable short and brief. Authority and power are two different things or (terms)

Sofiat says

June 5, 2023 at 4:44 pm

Wow very understandable short and brief.

Nso Clement Eyong says

August 18, 2023 at 9:36 pm

Powerful explanation and absolute clarity with easeness of understanding.

A.J Ayomide says

November 13, 2023 at 9:25 pm

You make it, more explicit to understand So well understandable

Power and Authority. 5 Pages 1283 Words

A simple definition of power could be the ability both to demand that people do something, and to say how a thing should be done or organised. Authority, however, is where power is granted by consent; and when an individual or committee is said to have authority, the reason that justifies this authority is known as legitimacy. In general, the government has authority because it has legitimacy through: tradition, as Parliament has existed for hundreds of years; charisma, as many people may follow present PM Tony Blair through the strength and attraction of his personality; and democratically through the people, as they vote in elections for the MP or party they wish to form the government. An example of an organisation that has power but not necessarily authority would be the Mafia, which exercise their power by sometimes using violence and force, or money, status, education or sex. In Liberal Democracies such as the UK, power is split into three types: legislative power, which is the power to make laws; executive power, which is the power to implement laws; and judicial power, which is the power to interpret laws. The two concepts of power and authority can be understood in different ways, for example Steven Luke's three faces of power or Max Weber's three types of authority. The nature, sources, and limitations of political authority and power have been much debated questions since the time of the ancient Greeks. These two sociologist's theories discuss the concepts of power and authority in three stages; Weber distinguished three main modes of claiming legitimacy, and Lukes derived a definition of power in three stages. Max Weber, whose study took place in the 19th century, decided that authority was split into three types: charismatic authority, traditional authority, and rational - legal authority. The first type, charismatic authority rests on the appeal of leaders who claim allegiance because of their extraordinary virtuosit...

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Power vs Authority

“Authority and power are two different things: power is the force using which you can oblige others to obey you. Authority is the right to direct and command, to be listened to or obeyed by others. Authority requests power. Power without authority is tyranny.” – JACQUES MARITAIN, “The Democratic Charter,” Man and the State.

There are many differences and many similarities between power and authority. In the criminal justice system, one must realize that they will have both of these traits in possession and must use them wisely to maintain stability and balance. You will be given power through assistance from others in your field, through the specific skills you were taught which will develop each day physically and mentally, and people will realize your power as your progress. You will also have authority from your position and who you are as a person. Your influence in the field you work in will make people respect you and see you as a higher authority. They will be advised of you from their mistakes and they will learn from you. It is from your power which they will give you authority and your presence. If they do not obey your authority from their negative acts, they will face the consequences, that is power from authority.

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Power must not be used in the wrong way. If your power is used for the wrong reasons, it can create chaos and you may face consequences from powers above you. Authority must not be used in the wrong way either. Through authority, people must listen and abide by you. You can make people do wrong things and that will cause you to have a bad image. Corrupt cops are an example of power and authority used in the wrong way. When they take advantage of what they are representing the law, they can get away with numerous things if planned and executed correctly. Speeding tickets can be gone through a simple bribe, money laundering can be organized through the powers police possess, Power Vs Authority: Week 3 3

even drug trafficking can be permitted as long as a police officer gets his/her cut. In addition to grave consequences for the individuals suffering from power misused, unethical acts by criminal justice professionals also harm society. Residents of a neighborhood are mistreated by law enforcement and are therefore afraid to go to the police station to report a crime and far fewer criminals will be caught. These sorts of problems will weaken society’s belief in the justice system and, not only lead to increasing in lawlessness but can also result in some individuals taking the law into their own hands. This cannot be tolerated in law enforcement, power and authority must be used responsibly and must be under surveillance as well….it’s why we have internal affairs.

In the criminal justice system, authority is more important than power. Power is given through your rank and as you develop through rank, so will your power and so will your authority. But it is your authority that will represent what kind of person you are through the actions and the experiences you will face. Police officers have power but their authority to the city and through the criminal justice system is what makes them stand out, so It is important for professionals in the criminal justice field to study ethics, because mistakes by these professionals can be extremely costly. They should recognize the great potential for harm that is associated with the study of criminal justice, and they do not knowingly place the well-being of themselves or other people in jeopardy in their professional work. one wrong judgment can cost you your job. Ethics will teach an individual to use power and authority responsibly and will encourage them to give proper authority towards others.

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Romeo and Juliet Essays

Power, Knowledge, and Authority in Romeo and Juliet Essay

Romeo and Juliet—one of William Shakespeare’s most celebrated plays and most renowned works—tells a story about two star-crossed lovers whose relatives are locked in a generational conflict. The themes of power, knowledge, and authority are central issues in Romeo and Juliet which can be explained using the post-structuralist theory of Jacques Derrida.

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Additionally, Derrida’s perspective as it relates to the meaning-making of Romeo and Juliet will be analyzed. The different languages of the theatre being used will be discussed. Finally, a synthesis of the discussion will be presented.

Jacques Derrida (1930-2004) created was a critic of literary texts, as well as philosophical ones. He also critiqued the foundations of politics. Using his method called deconstruction, which was a way of analyzing text, Derrida was able to navigate a vast array of topics as a major philosophical thinker.

There were moments where Derrida thought the word deconstruction was relatively broad, as it was thought that was popular and propagated in most circles of theory.

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In Romeo and Juliet, the theme of power is central to the play. In fact, “The fundamental powerlessness of the younger generation fuels the tragedy…The older generation has all the power…[and] Romeo and Juliet are alternately compelled and manipulated by parents and authority figures into a shrinking and increasingly destructive series of choices.”

Shakespeare himself writes in Act Five, Scene Three, “A greater power than we can contradict/Hath thwarted our intents.” In analyzing these verse from Romeo and Juliet, we must take into account Derrida’s strategies to uncover the differentials within the conversations of Western philosophy that take aim at universal themes which have plagued philosophers since the time of Aristotle:

“Derrida’s…work [should] be read as an assault on the place of

power. The place of power refers here to the tendency of

radical political philosophies and movements to reaffirm

the very structures of authority they seek to overthrow…

Derrida allows us to explore the possibility of strategies

of politics that refer to a radical exteriority — an outside

to power and authority. Through this outside one can

interrogate and resist authority without invoking another

form of authority in its place.”

In fact, the question of authority will be discussed later in this analysis.

In Derrida’s The Reason of the Strongest, he discusses the United Nations and how democracy and sovereignty are paradoxes which contradict each other. Although Verona is a relatively democratic city where Romeo and Juliet takes place, the families of both the Montagues and the Capulets are sovereign entities.

In essence, they are diametrically opposed because, “…in order to be sovereign, one must wield power oneself, take responsibility for its use by oneself, which means that the use of power, if…sovereign, [is] silent; the sovereign does not have to give reasons; the sovereign must exercise power in secret. In other words, sovereignty attempts to possess power indivisibly…”

In Derrida’s thinking, “[o]n the other hand, democracy calls for the sovereign to share power, to give reasons, to universalize. In democracy the use of power therefore is always an abuse of power. Derrida can also say that sovereignty and democracy are inseparable from one another.”

In a democracy, according to Derrida, power is usurped, and this is always a pressing matter; however, the paradox is that democracy precludes the necessity for time so that the usage of power can be debated.

Power is necessitated by having to be used with interaction. As Derrida says, “As soon as I speak to the other, I submit to the law of giving reason(s), I share a virtually universalizable medium, I divide my authority.”

There has to be, then, in Derrida’s framework, a place for sovereignty in a society. Therefore the dueling Montagues and Capulets are within their rights. Yet there must be coequal units which share in the power. Unfortunately, the problem with this is that it also could lead to misuse.

Derrida comments, to be more specific, “Since [sovereignty] never succeeds in [not sharing] except in a critical, precarious, and unstable fashion, sovereignty can only tend, for a limited time, to reign without sharing. It can only tend toward imperial hegemony. To make use of the time is already an abuse.”

Forty-two years ago, Derrida focused on the work of Husserl. He found that, when lived-experience was described by this mathematician—even the concept of complete impartiality—he is speaking from an inner place which can detect one’s own speaking called auto-affection.

“According to Derrida, hearing-oneself-speak is, for Husserl, ‘an absolutely unique kind of auto-affection’ (Speech and Phenomena, p. 78)…unique because there seems to be no external detour from the hearing to the speaking; in hearing-oneself-speak there is self-proximity. It seems therefore that I hear myself speak immediately in the very moment that I am speaking.”

The theme of knowledge is also central to Romeo and Juliet. Although post-structuralism is discussed in relation to the text, first a bit of background. Immanuel Kant, without knowing it, became the father of post-modernism, which basically portends that each person approaches a text or situation and automatically views it from a certain lens.

This is where the meeting of the minds come into play with the idea of knowledge. Here we have the idea that everyone comes from a certain background, i.e., social location, and evaluates a text with the lens that he or she brings to the table. Post-structuralism, in essence,

“means to critique orthodox interpretations

of anything, including Scripture, [i.e.] how

the text itself undermines an orthodox

interpretation that would be the reigning

interpretation. Post-structuralism [also]

critiques whatever historically critical

lenses [that are] talked about” (Taussig, 2005).

Additionally, “[post-structuralists are] suspicious of modern historical critics because [the Post-structuralists feel the historical critics] want to control the meaning of the text, and limit orthodox interpretation, so they have a vested interest in undermining someone else’s interpretation. [Post-structuralists are] radically critical of [the] historical-critical [method]” (Taussig, 2005).

It is this “dismantling” of every single interpretation which allows for the reimagination of the text. Post-structuralist interpretation allows the interpreter to approach the text with knowledge and say one can indeed approach this piece of literature regardless of social location (where one is from, who one is, what one’s educational and socioeconomic background is, etc.).

Romeo and Juliet is timeless. Post-structuralist thought allows for the theory of phenomenology to come into play as well, along with post-structuralist theory. Edmund Husserl himself was the founder of phenomenology, which “…[is] the kind of philosophy that considers anything appearing to consciousness as a legitimate field of inquiry [or philosophical investigation].”

Husserl was originally trained as a mathematician, and his dissertation was on the calculus of variations. The calculus of variations basically deals in optimization theory, which allows for finding the greatest possible area for a given set of assumptions—and Husserl was in favor of the revival of Cartesian thinking without all the assumptions related to it.

This meant that the study of phenomena (from the Greek word phainomenon… “appearance”) would be the study of anything found anywhere in the conscious state. Theoretically, this could even include the unconscious. Therefore, this type of thinking would refer back to “broadening the field of investigation” so much so that “an educated man [could] look for precision in each class of things just so far as the nature of the subject admits”—as stated from the philosopher himself, a very high Aristotelian ideal.

What is important about this semiotics is that optimization theory allows for various authorities to come into play when reading a text—or multiple readings—without any of them necessarily being “wrong.” Of course, this doesn’t mean that they are all equal.

Within the time span of Derrida’s life, he extrapolated on his arguments using several methods. However, Derrida was always in contra of one concept which Derrida named “the worst.” He delineated what this meant in his work Faith and Knowledge.

There is a phrase in his native language which means more than one. However, even while this means that in self-affection, there is still more than one. Of course, in Romeo and Juliet it is obvious that with regards to self-affection, more than one person was involved.

Derrida describes the worst as extreme. In essence, this is the presence of violence. However, Derrida is quick to make a difference between this and the Kantian notion of radical evil. This is composed of the gaping differential between oneself and the Other; in this case, the radical evil would be between the Montagues and the Capulets.

Their differences between the two families are so great that there is in fact a presence of violence, and this comes to a head in Romeo and Juliet’s respective deaths. However, the evil between these two families would not be considered absolute evil, which is something different altogether.

These are the outlines for the ideas of what constitutes the worst according to Derrida. However, in a world that is post-9/11, there is not a solitary enemy on whose grounds one is fighting—as compared to previous years when the Cold War was being waged. The globalization of war has impacted knowledge as one knows it.

In fact, as Derrida says in Rogues, “one would wage what could still be called a ‘war,’ even if we think of this as a war on international terrorism…[unlike] the Cold War…[which] insured it wouldn’t lead to suicidal operation…[Now], ‘all that is over,’ and instead provokes the idea of a ‘new violence…with…some right to wage war.’”

There is a paradigm shift in the way Derrida would view a work of art such as Romeo and Juliet. The importance of a work now moves from Derrida’s focus on empirical evidence to that of moral truths, which would explore the “question of orientation for deconstruction through…comparison of Derrida’s reading of the Kantian university and Benjamin’s rearticulating of knowledge through the work of art.

[This] analysis…[moves] from revelation to appearance, [making] scientific knowledge [opposed] to theological conceptions of truth. This framework allows Kant’s conception of knowledge to…[relate to] authority…”

The theme of authority in Romeo and Juliet plays a special role as well. Romeo and Juliet’s parents are unquestioningly, without a doubt, harbingers of the lovers’ deaths. Their hatred for each other concerns each others’ authority in Verona, where both parties are dueling for the spotlight. Authority has been a key question in Jacques Derrida’s work.

One of Derrida’s deconstructive strategies, “which Derrida identifies with French philosophy in the 1960s, affirms an absolute break with tradition, seeking to change ground in a discontinuous and irruptive fashion. However, such a strategy fails to recognize that one cannot break with the tradition while retaining its language.”

It is precisely this strategy that is employed by Romeo to break with tradition by marrying Juliet, who is a Capulet—his a member of his rival’s family.

One of the other deconstructive strategies would be the one “associate[d] with Heidegger, [which] proceeds by means of a return to the origins of the…tradition and uses the resources of this tradition against itself.” One way in which Juliet used the tradition against itself in order for her own benefit was to have the traditional marriage to Paris, but appear dead in her bed before it took place so that she would have to be taken to the family crypt—where she could then rendezvous with Romeo after he read the letter and knew that she would be waiting for him.

With regard to meaning-making in Romeo an d Juliet, we must realize that we read Shakespeare’s text is in an English-speaking world. Western society is foundationally grounded in reason.

In post-structuralist Jacque Derrida’s Dissemination, he characterized our society as being logocentristic, that is, being focused like a laser beam on the importance of the spoken word versus the written word.

This is because it is assumed that, the person who says what is being said, understands it, and that those who hear that person hear and understand the message. Of course, that is not always necessarily the case.

Applying this linguistically mathematical concept to interpretation, then becomes related to post-structural theory. Martin Heidegger would ask, “Is there a multiplicity?”, and in fact, he did. Heidegger also found four key problems with phenomenology: “the problem of the ontological difference, the problem of the basic articulation of being, the problem of the possible modifications of being in its ways of being, [and] the problem of the truth-character of being.”

In essence, Heidegger was challenging the authority of phenomenology, which would ultimately challenge the idea of phenomenological theory when compared with Jacque Derrida’s post-structuralist theory. After all—if one does not know where the text is coming from etiologically speaking—how can one describe it? How is one being true to the meaning of the text of Romeo and Juliet?  Questions regarding issues in interpretation, will, hopefully resolve many, if not all, of these problematic themes for Heidegger, as well as the reader interested in post-structuralist theory.

The way language is used in Romeo and Juliet reminds one that idioms are an important part of speaking. Who can forget the statement “A rose by any other name would smell just as sweet”?

Well, Jacques Derrida said that “I do not believe in pure idioms. I think there is naturally a desire, for whoever speaks or writes, to sign in an idiomatic, irreplaceable manner.”

Shakespeare was methodical in his arrangement of causes and effects, of actions and their consequences. As Derrida said, “Every discourse, even a poetic or oracular sentence, carries with it a system of rules for producing analogous things and thus an outline of methodology.”

At times, Shakespeare’s language may seem obscure to speakers of modern English. Who would know, except people familiar with the vernacular of the English of Shakespeare’s time, that to “bite one’s thumb” at someone was a great insult?

Derrida would say that, “No one gets angry at a mathematician or a physicist whom he or she doesn’t understand, or at someone who speaks a foreign language, but rather at someone who tampers with your own language.”

In fact, it is possible to interpret Shakespeare’s words in different ways, as many times he uses plays on words as a literary device. Derrida comments, “We are all mediators, translators.”

Here one has analyzed Romeo and Juliet through the perspective of Jacques Derrida and his theory, especially his post-structuralist theory and deconstruction. The issues of power, knowledge, and authority have been examined thoroughly. Finally, one has seen how Derrida’s perspective helps one understand the creation of meaning-making in the text and how the use of different language in the theatre have been used. We have seen how the overarching influence of post-structuralism and deconstruction apply to Romeo and Juliet, as this truly is a work whose underlying theory is post-modern in nature. The way the power structure of Verona is set up, the way one realizes how knowledge is dealt with in the play, and the way authority is held by the Montagues and the Capulets are resounding examples of Derrida’s thought processes regarding institutions that are still in place on a daily basis in our societies. Romeo and Juliet serves, not as a monolithic work, but as a shining example of the paradigm shift that is evident in post-structuralist thought as challenges to the bulwarks of old tradition.

Brainy Media, 2009. Jacques derrida quotes. http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/j/jacques_derrida_2.html.

Derrida, Jacques, 1981. Dissemination. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Heidegger, Martin, 1982. The basic problems of phenomenology. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Hogue, Dawn, 2008. Romeo and juliet. http://www.mshogue.com/ce9/R_J/main.htm.

Hollenback Studios, 2009. The rude mechanicals website. http://www.rudemechanicals.com/raj/.

Lombardi, Esther., 2009. Romeo and juliet quotes. http://classiclit.about.com/od/romeoandjuliet/a/aa_romeojulietq.htm.

McPhee, Graham, 2009. Appearance and revelation: benjamin, derrida, and the institution of knowledge. http://litthe.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/17/4/435.

Mickunas, Algis, et. al., 1990. Exploring phenomenology: a guide to the field and its literature. Athens: Ohio University Press.

Newman, Saul. 2009. Derrida’s deconstruction of authority. http://www.infoshop.org/library/Newman:_Derrida’s_Deconstruction_Of_Authority.

Schrift, Alan D. 2009. Questioning authority: nietzsche’s gift to derrida. http://www.eurozine.com/articles/2008-06-18-schrift-en.html.

Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2009. Jacques derrida. http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/derrida/.

Taussig, Hal. Post-structuralism lecture. [Speech] (Personal communication, 7 April 2005).

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