The question of authority

Abstract Authority is at the core of the human condition. In every realm of existence—social life, politics, economics—some people exercise authority over others. The exercising of authority comes in many different guises and at many different levels of human society. The epitome in the breadth and depth of exercising authority is the modern state. In some ways, it attempts to usurp the authority of all other social organizations. The topic of states exercising authority seems, at first glance, to be self-evident. After all, states are the most powerful organizations on earth. They are replete with agencies and bureaus, departments and ministries, not to speak of armies and police forces. Yet, most states run into difficulties in exercising power—implementing policies and succeeding in changing people’s behavior. This article analyzes the reasons states experience such difficulties.