4.
Explanation
Public authority refers to the power and responsibility that government entities and officials have to make and enforce laws, regulations, and policies on behalf of the government and the public they serve. Public authorities are vested with various governmental functions and duties, and they typically derive their authority from constitutions, statutes, or other legal frameworks.
Key characteristics of public authority include:
1. Legal Basis: Public authorities operate under a legal framework, which may include a constitution, laws, or regulations that define their scope of authority, functions, and responsibilities.
2. Governmental Functions: They perform functions that are considered essential for the functioning of government and the well-being of society. These functions can include lawmaking, law enforcement, taxation, and regulation of various aspects of public life.
3. Accountability: Public authorities are accountable to the government or, ultimately, to the citizens they serve. They are expected to act in accordance with the law and to be transparent in their actions and decision-making processes.
4. Exclusivity: Certain powers and functions are reserved exclusively for public authorities and cannot be exercised by private individuals or entities. For example, the power to impose taxes or maintain a police force is typically within the domain of public authorities.
Examples of public authorities include government agencies, legislative bodies (e.g., Congress or Parliament), executive branches (e.g., the President or Prime Minister), regulatory bodies (e.g., the Environmental Protection Agency), and law enforcement agencies (e.g., the police).
Conclusion: Public authority is a fundamental concept in governance and the rule of law, as it ensures that government institutions have the legal authority to carry out their functions and that they do so in a manner that upholds the public interest and the rights of citizens.