The Use Of Power And Its Legitimacy

Amanda Gallatin

Someone who is sent to jail happened on account of the use of power. Letting someone push you around is not using your power. Protesting a war is a powerful act that affects other people around them. Having power means doing some act that affects other people. Choosing what movie to go to with friends is using power. Cowering under someone is not using power. People often recognize power as having control over others. Is this considered legitimate in society's eyes? Often having control over others is not lawful or just. In the book A Man For All Seasons, King Henry VIII struggles with the concept of divorce and his legitimate marriage with Catherine in the 16th century. More, an honest man in the book, uses his power of free will over the king, which is considered legitimate or lawful to a person. "And before God, and you are sent to Heaven for doing according to your conscience, and I am sent to hell for not doing according to mine, will you come along with me -- for fellowship?"(132). King Henry VIII's ruling is legitimate in the eyes of the monarchy. King Henry VIII trying to divorce his wife is illegitimate and against the law. According to The American Heritage College Dictionary, power is "the ability or capacity to perform or act effectively. The ability or official capacity to exercise control; authority."

When power is used in a corruptive way, this is considered "not right", thus it is illegitimate. Having a baby out of wedlock is illegitimate. Having the ability to do or act in a situation is using power. If someone stole a pair of shoes, it is considered unlawful. If they returned them, they used their conscience and power to do so. In order to have