Power is transformed into legal authority through

Step 1: Analyze the question The question asks how power (the ability to make others do something, even by force) becomes legal authority (the recognized, rightful power to rule).

Step 2: Explain the concept In Government, these terms are related but different:

• Power: the ability to get others to obey, whether by force, persuasion, or reward.
• Authority: power that is accepted as rightful by the people. It is the right to make decisions and command obedience.
• Legitimacy: the acceptance by the people that a government or ruler has the right to rule, usually because it came to power through a lawful process such as an election or constitution.

Power becomes authority when it is legitimized, meaning it is recognized as lawful and rightful.

Step 3: Test each option

• A. Force: Force is a means of exercising power. It can compel obedience, but it does not make the power rightful. A military coup leader who rules by force alone has power but not legitimate authority.
• B. Prayers: Has no link to the transformation of power into authority.
• C. Influence: Influence is the ability to affect people's decisions without formal command. It is a form of power, not what makes it legal.
• D. Legitimacy: Correct. When people accept that power is rightful, because it was obtained and exercised according to law, it becomes legal authority.

Step 4: Answer The correct option is D. Legitimacy.

Exam tip: Remember the formula Power + Legitimacy = Authority. Whenever a question links "power" with "legal", "rightful" or "accepted", think legitimacy.