A government which has the ability to compel its citizens to obedience is said to be exercising

When a government has the ability to make and enforce laws that its citizens are obligated to follow, it is said to be exercising authority. Authority is the legitimate use of power, where power is the ability to compel or influence obedience. This means that a government with authority has the right to make decisions, enforce laws, and punish those who break them. However, the government's authority is based on the consent of the governed, and if citizens believe that the government is no longer acting in their best interest, they may withdraw their consent, leading to a loss of authority.