Powers (Austin)

Powers, according to philosopher John Austin, are sources of authority that compel obedience through rules or commands. They are the basis of legal systems, where laws create obligations that individuals or institutions are expected to follow. For example, a government’s power to enforce laws or a judge’s authority to issue rulings are types of powers. Austin emphasizes that these powers are rooted in the command structures of institutions, and their legitimacy depends on the accepted authority to maintain social order. Essentially, powers are the mechanisms that enable laws and rules to influence human behavior within society.