Authority vs. Ruler — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 2, 2024
Authority refers to the power or right to give orders and make decisions, while a ruler is a person who governs or leads a country or region.
Difference Between Authority and Ruler
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Authority is a concept that denotes the power or right to govern, make decisions, or enforce obedience, and can be vested in individuals, organizations, or specific roles. On the other hand, a ruler is specifically an individual who holds a position of power, typically in a governmental or monarchical context, where they exercise authority over a populace.
Authority can exist in various contexts like corporate, educational, or legal environments, implying a right derived from a position or law, whereas a ruler typically has a more defined scope of power, often encompassing both symbolic and executive roles in a state or region.
Authority can also be informal, such as the influence a respected elder might hold in a community, whereas rulership is a formal, recognized position of governance.
In modern political systems, the authority of a ruler might be limited by laws and governance structures, illustrating that while all rulers have authority, not all who have authority are rulers.
Comparison Chart
Definition
The power to govern or enforce laws, or the right to command.
A person who governs a country, state, or community.
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Scope
Can be limited to specific contexts or roles.
Generally extensive, covering all state affairs.
Source of Power
Derived from laws, regulations, or consent of the governed.
Derived from constitutional provisions, heritage, or military conquest.
Examples
A CEO, a judge, a team leader.
Kings, presidents, prime ministers.
Symbolism
Authority itself has no inherent symbolism.
Often symbolizes the state or government.
Compare with Definitions
Authority
Power granted by a position or office.
The principal has the authority to suspend students.
Ruler
One who makes and enforces the rules in a particular region.
The ruler decreed the new laws yesterday.
Authority
The power to influence or command thought, opinion, or behavior.
His authority on the topic is unquestioned.
Ruler
Symbolic representation of a nation's unity and continuity.
The ruler is seen as a unifying symbol during national celebrations.
Authority
An authoritative source of information.
The book is considered an authority on climate change.
Ruler
A monarch or head of state.
The queen, a ruler by hereditary right, addressed the nation.
Authority
In the fields of sociology and political science, authority is the legitimate power that a person or a group of persons possess and practice over other people. In a civil state, authority is made formal by way of a judicial branch and an executive branch of government.In the exercise of governance, the terms authority and power are inaccurate synonyms.
Ruler
A ruler, sometimes called a rule or line gauge, is a device used in geometry and technical drawing, as well as the engineering and construction industries, to measure distances or draw straight lines.
Authority
The power to enforce laws, exact obedience, command, determine, or judge.
Ruler
One, such as a monarch or dictator, that rules or governs.
Authority
One that is invested with this power, especially a government or body of government officials
Land titles issued by the civil authority.
Ruler
A straightedged strip, as of wood or metal, for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths. Also called rule.
Authority
Power assigned to another; authorization
Deputies were given authority to make arrests.
Ruler
A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings.
Authority
A public agency or corporation with administrative powers in a specified field
A city transit authority.
Ruler
A person who rules or governs; someone or something that exercises dominion or controlling power over others.
Authority
An accepted source of expert information or advice
A noted authority on birds.
A reference book often cited as an authority.
Ruler
(transitive) To beat with a ruler (as a traditional school punishment).
Authority
A quotation or citation from such a source
Biblical authorities for a moral argument.
Ruler
One who rules; one who exercises sway or authority; a governor.
And he made him ruler over all the land.
A prince and ruler of the land.
Authority
Justification; grounds
On what authority do you make such a claim?.
Ruler
Measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
Authority
A conclusive statement or decision that may be taken as a guide or precedent.
Ruler
A person who rules or commands;
Swayer of the universe
Authority
Power to influence or persuade resulting from knowledge or experience
Political observers who acquire authority with age.
Ruler
A leader with supreme power.
The dictator ruled as the country’s absolute ruler.
Authority
Confidence derived from experience or practice; firm self-assurance
Played the sonata with authority.
Ruler
A guiding figure in a specific realm or domain.
He was the ruler of his company, guiding it through crises.
Authority
(uncountable) Power or right to make or enforce rules or give orders; or a position having such power or right.
I have the authority to penalise the staff in my department, but not the authority to sack them.
Vigilantes may have the power to nab criminals, but they lack the authority.
She lost all respect and authority after turning up drunk at the meeting.
Respect my authority!
Authority
(plural) Persons, regarded collectively, who occupy official positions of power; police or law enforcement.
Authorities say the suspect fled on foot.
Authority
(countable) A reliable, definitive source of information on a subject.
The world's foremost authority on orangutans
My cheap dictionary is not the authority on word derivations.
Authority
(uncountable) Status as a trustworthy source of information, reputation for mastery or expertise; or claim to such status or reputation.
Some thinkers regard appealing to authority as a logical fallacy; others regard it as a legitimate form of argument.
Authority
Official permission; authorisation to act in some capacity on behalf of a ruling entity.
Authority
(countable) A government-owned agency that runs a revenue-generating activity for public benefit.
New York Port Authority
Chicago Transit Authority
Authority
Legal or rightful power; a right to command or to act; power exercised buy a person in virtue of his office or trust; dominion; jurisdiction; authorization; as, the authority of a prince over subjects, and of parents over children; the authority of a court.
Thus can the demigod, Authority,Make us pay down for our offense.
By what authority doest thou these things ?
Authority
Government; the persons or the body exercising power or command; as, the local authorities of the States; the military authorities.
Authority
The power derived from opinion, respect, or esteem; influence of character, office, or station, or mental or moral superiority, and the like; claim to be believed or obeyed; as, an historian of no authority; a magistrate of great authority.
Authority
That which, or one who, is claimed or appealed to in support of opinions, actions, measures, etc.
Wilt thou be glass wherein it shall discernAuthority for sin, warrant for blame.
Authority
The power or right to give orders or make decisions;
He has the authority to issue warrants
Deputies are given authorization to make arrests
Authority
(usually plural) persons who exercise (administrative) control over others;
The authorities have issued a curfew
Authority
An expert whose views are taken as definitive;
He is an authority on corporate law
Authority
Freedom from doubt; belief in yourself and your abilities;
His assurance in his superiority did not make him popular
After that failure he lost his confidence
She spoke with authority
Authority
An administrative unit of government;
The Central Intelligence Agency
The Census Bureau
Office of Management and Budget
Tennessee Valley Authority
Authority
Official permission or approval;
Authority for the program was renewed several times
Authority
An authoritative written work;
This book is the final authority on the life of Milton
Authority
Right to make decisions.
The committee has full authority to approve the proposals.
Authority
Legitimacy in one's role or expertise.
She spoke with authority on medieval art.
Common Curiosities
Can a person be a ruler without having authority?
Typically, a ruler inherently possesses authority by virtue of their role, though the extent can vary by political system.
How is authority established?
Authority is established through laws, social norms, or by delegation from higher authorities.
What does it mean to have authority?
To have authority means to possess the power or right to enforce rules, make decisions, and command obedience.
What are the different forms of authority?
Forms of authority include legal, moral, traditional, and charismatic authority, each based on different grounds.
How does a ruler exercise authority?
A ruler exercises authority through governance, issuing decrees, and leading the administrative functions of a state or region.
Can authority be challenged?
Yes, authority can be challenged through legal processes, disobedience, or by questioning its legitimacy.
What role does a ruler play in government?
A ruler typically oversees the executive functions of government, represents the state, and enacts policies.
How is the authority of a ruler determined in a democracy?
In a democracy, the authority of a ruler is usually limited and defined by constitutional laws and the electoral mandate.
Is authority always linked to a position of power?
While often linked to positions of power, authority can also arise from expertise or moral standing.
What makes a ruler different from a leader?
A ruler holds a formal position of governance, often in a state or country, while a leader can exist in various non-governmental contexts.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
