Final answer:
People obtain power through legitimate, referent, and coercive means, with the highest form of political power being sovereign power, often exercised through democratic processes and the principle of popular sovereignty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the ways in which people obtain power and examines types of power that people exercise. The four mentioned forms of power are legitimate power, referent power, and coercive power, with the suggestion that all the above are correct.
Legitimate power is based on a person's position or role within a structure, such as a police officer or a manager in a company. This power is conferred by the laws, rules, and regulations of society, and those subject to this power tend to accept it as right and proper.
Referent power comes from the ability of a person to attract others and build loyalty. It is based on the personal qualities of the individual, such as charisma, likability, or reputation within a group.
Coercive power is the ability to force someone to do something, often through threats and penalties. It can be seen in the power held by state actors, such as governments, or non-state actors like rebel groups.
The highest form of political power is sovereign power, which refers to power that is absolute and unrestricted; in democracies, this power usually resides with the citizens and is exercised through the act of voting and the principle of popular sovereignty.