The sources of political power depend on obedience and cooperation

        These six sources of political power are necessary to establish or retain power and control. Their availability , however , is subject to constant variation and is not necessarily secure.

        The more extensive and detailed the rulers’ control over the population and society, the more such assistance they will require from individuals, groups, organizations, and branches of the government. If these needed “assistants” reject the rulers’ authority, They my then carry out the rulers’ wishes and orders inefficiently , or may even flatly refuse to continue their usual assistance . When this happens the total effective  power of the rulers is reduced.

        Because the rulers are dependent on their people to operate the system, the rulers are continually subject to influence and restriction by both their direct assistants and the general population .The potential control of these groups over  the rulers will be greatest where the rulers depend on them most .

        Let us, for example, consider authority and sanctions from this point of view. The other four sources of power are highly dependent on these two.

          Authority is necessary for the existence and operation of any regime. All rulers require an acceptance of their authority: their right to rule, command and be obeyed. The key to habitual obedience is to reach the mind. Obedience will scarcely be habitual unless it is loyal, not forced. In essence, authority must be voluntarily accepted.

          The weakening or collapse of authority inevitably tends to loosen the subjects’ predisposition toward obedience. Then the decision to obey or not to obey will be made consciously. Obedience may even be refused the loss of authority sets in motion the disintegration of the rulers’power their power is reduced to the degree that their authority is repudiated.

Sanctions may be applied to enforce obedience and cooperation. However, the rulers require more than reluctant outward compliance . Sanctions will be inadequate as long as acceptance of the rulers’ authority is limited. Despite punishments, the population may still not obey or cooperate to the needed extent.

A special relationship exist between sanction and submission. First , the capability to impose sanctions derives from the obedience and cooperation of at least some subjects.