Question

Although the state’s authority is derived from the implicit threat of physical force, when the state resorts to physical coercion to enforce its will, its legitimate authority diminishes drastically. This is an example of _________.

Answer 1

Answer:

This is an example of the paradox of authority.

Explanation:

The paradox of authority lies in that a state gets its power from being able to apply physical force and being the only entity allowed to do so, but they people will also start to question that authority if the state starts to exercise that power and applied coercion or domination. In a democracy, for example, the state still has a monopoly on violence but the people also have a right to protest against the authorities they elect and to sanction leaders for taking non-representative decisions.