Civil authority

Civil authority is that apparatus of the State other than its military units that enforces law and order. Less often it is used (as "Civil authority") to distinguish between religious authority (for example Canon law) and secular authority. Thus three forms of authority may bee seen in states:

Related Topics:
Military - Law and order - Canon law

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• Civil authority
• Military authority
• Religious authority (certain constitutions exclude the state having any religious authority)

In modern states enforcement of law and order is typically a role of the police although the line between military and civil units may be hard to distinguish; especially when militias and volunteers, such as yeomanry, act in pursuance of non-military, domestic objectives.

Related Topics:
Police - Militia - Yeomanry

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Civil authority: See also ►