Given below are two statements
Statement l: Power is an instrument of coercion and has a physical effect.
Statement II: Power could as well be based on consent and yet be more effective.
In light of the above statements, choose the  correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a): Both Statement I and Statement II are true.
· Statement I is true because power, in many contexts, can indeed be an instrument of coercion. In political theory, coercion is one of the ways power manifests, particularly through the use of force, threats, or sanctions. This physical effect of power is often seen in authoritarian regimes or situations where compliance is forced.
· Statement II is also true because power can be more effective when based on consent rather than coercion. When people consent to the authority of a leader or institution, the exercise of power is smoother, more stable, and long-lasting. In democratic systems, for example, power based on the voluntary acceptance of authority by the governed is often seen as legitimate and more effective than power that relies purely on force.
Information Booster:
1. Power through Coercion: Coercive power relies on the use of force or threats to control others, which can create resistance and instability.
2. Power through Consent: Power based on consent is more sustainable and effective, as it is willingly accepted by individuals and does not require constant force.
3. Legitimacy: Power derived from legitimacy, especially in democratic societies, tends to be more stable and less prone to challenges compared to coercive power.
4. Authority: Max Weber identified different types of authority—traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational—where power can be accepted voluntarily without coercion.