Final answer:
Legitimate power is the accepted influence that people willingly follow, fitting the description C) Legitimate power. It is based on a formal position of leadership and the rightful authority that comes from structures like laws or regulations, as opposed to coercive, expert, or referent power.
Step-by-step explanation:
Legitimate power refers to accepted influence, in other words, influence that people agree to follow. Among the choices given, C) Legitimate power fits this description, as it is based on the authority that is seen as rightful by those led or influenced. People tend to follow legitimate power because they believe that the person or entity wielding this type of power has the rightful authority to do so. This concept often involves a formal position of leadership, such as a government official or a manager within an organization, where power is legitimized by laws, rules, or other structures.
Examples of legitimate power include the role of a president, who holds authority typically grounded in the constitution of a country, or a police officer, whose power comes from the legal system. On the contrary, coercive power relies on the threat of force, expert power comes from knowledge and skills, and referent power arises from charisma or admiration.