Final answer:
Authority is accepted power that people follow, while legitimacy is the belief that those with authority should have it.
Step-by-step explanation:
Authority refers to accepted power-that is, power that people agree to follow. People listen to authority figures because they feel that these individuals are worthy of respect. Generally speaking, people perceive the objectives and demands of an authority figure as reasonable and beneficial, or true.
Legitimacy is the belief that those who have authority should have it. It is the acceptance and recognition of the authority's power by the people. Legitimacy can be based on tradition, the will of the people through democratic processes, or a belief in the government itself rather than a specific individual.