My Way and the Highway

I was thinking about the word “authority” so I thought I would look up its meaning.  I was surprised how many forms it takes.  I was thinking of someone being given authority say to rule either by the people or their peers.  But the word actually has many connotations and meanings.
What I was forgetting about was someone being considered an authority on a subject due to their intimate and deep knowledge.  Generally, it would be someone worth listening to and heeding advice from.  Often they have “been there, done that” or can reference enough cases to make a particular course of action to be seen as desirable.
Another form of authority is always mentioned in the plural as “authorities.”  Generally it is those who have been given or taken the role of decision making and government of the people.  When given, a majority agree to it.  When taken it is imposed and can often lead to resentment and rebellion.  Either way it is gained it seems to me the words of Euripides are right “authority is never without hate.”
Why I think that is right is that without exception there is always a diametrically opposite view to the one that prevails. That seems to be the case not only in heady matters of State but in everyday things like food preferences.  It is funny Merril and I always take turns in deciding what we would like to keep.  Things that matter to me may not mean anything to her and the other way.
Authority can be very selectively given.  I used to work for the Great Barrier Reef Authority.  It was set up to govern the reef and determine the roles of various parts (ie no fishing areas, corridors of travel etc.)  Part of its role was to ensure the greatest number of people possible could use the reef without destroying it.  Its decision making was supposed to not necessarily be popular but impartial.
It seems to me in every case authority that is conferred lasts longest.  As opposed to when it is taken.  It seems that that sort of authority lasts a while but resentment of injustice prevails.  Even when an authority taken looks after its constituents it is tolerated at best.
Authority I like is given.  It is an authority with the power to perform and with the compassion to understand and do something - not just for the rich and powerful but also for the everyday person that rightly seeks justice.