Final answer:
Authority is power that is recognized as legitimate, and it comes in different forms including rational-legal, traditional, and charismatic. The correct answer to the question is option C, which refers to power that is recognized as legitimate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Authority is power that people accept because it comes from a source that is perceived as legitimate. There are three types of authority as outlined by sociologist Max Weber: rational-legal authority, traditional authority, and charismatic authority.
Rational-legal authority is the power that is legitimized by rules, regulations, and laws. In modern societies, this is often the basis for government power and is evident in bureaucratic institutions and in democracies, where laws and policies are established through representative institutions.
Traditional authority is power legitimized on the basis of long-standing customs. This can be seen in monarchies or tribal systems where power is passed down through hereditary means and cultural practices, and the authority is often unquestioned due to historical precedent.
Charismatic authority is based on the exceptional personal qualities of a leader, which inspires loyalty and devotion in followers. This type of authority is often found in revolutionary leaders or religious figures who have a magnetic personality and vision.
Answering the student's multiple-choice question, option C: recognized as legitimate, best describes authority. This is because authority fundamentally requires recognition of its legitimacy by those it governs, whether this recognition is derived from legal rationality, traditional continuity, or personal charisma.