Internal power is power within the organization. External power is power over whom?

Internal power is power within the organization. External power is power over whom?

• A. The public
• B. Other organizations
• C. The media
• D. Suppliers

Answer: (A)

External power means influence over actors outside the organization. In criminal justice practice, the authority and legitimacy of agencies come from the public—the people they serve. The public’s trust, consent, and willingness to fund and support laws give the organization real power to operate and enforce rules. While other external actors like the media, suppliers, or partner organizations matter, the fundamental source of external power is the public, since their approval is what sustains the agency’s authority.

External power means influence over actors outside the organization. In criminal justice practice, the authority and legitimacy of agencies come from the public—the people they serve. The public’s trust, consent, and willingness to fund and support laws give the organization real power to operate and enforce rules. While other external actors like the media, suppliers, or partner organizations matter, the fundamental source of external power is the public, since their approval is what sustains the agency’s authority.