15 MCQ on Power and Authority with answers

15 MCQ on  Power and Authority with answers

1. What is the key difference between power and authority?

   a) Power is earned, while authority is given.

   b) Power is legitimate, while authority is coercive.

   c) Power is hierarchical, while authority is egalitarian.

   d) Power is temporary, while authority is permanent.

Answer: a) Power is earned, while authority is given.

2. Which term refers to the ability to influence others' behavior or decision-making?

   a) Authority

   b) Sovereignty

   c) Power

   d) Autonomy

Answer: c) Power

3. Authority is often derived from:

   a) Personal charisma

   b) Wealth and possessions

   c) Physical strength

   d) Legal or social structures

Answer: d) Legal or social structures

4. What is the primary source of authority in a democratic society?

   a) Tradition

   b) Religious doctrine

   c) Consent of the governed

   d) Military force

Answer: c) Consent of the governed

5. Which term describes the legitimate use of power?

   a) Coercion

   b) Influence

   c) Authority

   d) Manipulation

Answer: c) Authority

6. Power can be understood as:

   a) A zero-sum game

   b) A finite resource

   c) The ability to control resources

   d) A measure of physical strength

Answer: c) The ability to control resources

7. Authority is typically associated with:

   a) Formal positions or roles

   b) Informal social influence

   c) Wealth and material possessions

   d) Physical dominance

Answer: a) Formal positions or roles

8. Which philosopher distinguishes between different types of authority, such as traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational?

   a) Michel Foucault

   b) Max Weber

   c) Karl Marx

   d) Friedrich Nietzsche

Answer: b) Max Weber

9. Power is often categorized into which two types?

   a) Coercive and persuasive

   b) Formal and informal

   c) Personal and institutional

   d) Economic and political

Answer: a) Coercive and persuasive

10. Authority is typically associated with:

    a) Voluntary obedience

    b) Fear and intimidation

    c) Manipulative tactics

    d) Personal preferences

Answer: a) Voluntary obedience

11. Which of the following is an example of legitimate authority?

    a) A dictator ruling by fear

    b) A teacher enforcing discipline in a classroom

    c) A criminal gang extorting money from businesses

    d) A parent controlling their child through manipulation

Answer: b) A teacher enforcing discipline in a classroom

12. What distinguishes power from authority?

    a) Power relies on coercion, while authority relies on consent.

    b) Power is always legitimate, while authority can be illegitimate.

    c) Power is derived from personal traits, while authority is derived from social structures.

    d) Power is static, while authority is dynamic.

Answer: a) Power relies on coercion, while authority relies on consent.

13. Which type of authority is based on the personal characteristics and charisma of an individual?

    a) Traditional authority

    b) Legal-rational authority

    c) Charismatic authority

    d) Bureaucratic authority

Answer: c) Charismatic authority

14. In which type of authority does legitimacy stem from long-standing customs and traditions?

    a) Charismatic authority

    b) Legal-rational authority

    c) Traditional authority

    d) Bureaucratic authority

Answer: c) Traditional authority

15. Power and authority are often intertwined but can also be:

    a) Mutually exclusive

    b) Diametrically opposed

    c) Interchangeable

    d) Complementary

Answer: a) Mutually exclusive