The exercise of power can arise from any of the following sources except

1. Analyze the question The question asks which option is NOT a recognised source of power. Four options are sources, and one is the odd one out.

2. Explain the concept In Government and political science, power is the ability to make others act in a desired way. Commonly recognised sources or bases of power include:

• Legitimate power: comes from a recognised position or office (e.g., a President, a Governor).
• Expert power: comes from special knowledge or skill (e.g., a doctor or an engineer).
• Charismatic power: comes from personal appeal and charm (e.g., Obafemi Awolowo, Nelson Mandela).
• Referent power: comes from admiration and identification.
• Coercive power: comes from force or the threat of punishment.
• Reward power: comes from the ability to give benefits.
• Traditional power: comes from custom and heredity (e.g., emirs and obas).

3. Step-by-step solution

• B (legitimate power) is a standard source, so it is not the answer.
• C (expert power) is a standard source, so it is not the answer.
• D (charismatic power) is a standard source (Weber's charismatic authority), so it is not the answer.
• A (ideological power) is not one of the classic textbook sources of power, such as legitimate, expert, charismatic, coercive, reward, referent or traditional. Ideology is a set of beliefs that guides a government or party, not a standard base of power.

4. Answer

One caution: some scholars do discuss "ideological power" (for example Michael Mann's sources of social power). But in the WASSCE Government syllabus, it is not listed among the usual sources, so A is the expected answer.

5. Exam tip For "except" questions, check each option against your list of standard sources. Memorise: L-E-C-C-R-R-T (Legitimate, Expert, Charismatic, Coercive, Reward, Referent, Traditional). Any option outside this list is likely the answer.