"De jure" and "de facto" are Latin terms often used in discussions of authority, governance, and legal systems to differentiate between what is legally recognized and what exists in practice.
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De Jure Authority: This refers to authority that is established by law or is legally sanctioned. It recognizes the rightful legitimacy of power or governance based on statutes, regulations, or constitutional provisions. For instance, a government elected through a legitimate electoral process holds de jure authority because its power is derived from the legal framework of that jurisdiction.
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De Facto Authority: In contrast, de facto authority refers to power or control that is established in practice, regardless of its legal standing. This type of authority exists in reality but may lack formal recognition or legality. For example, a regime that has taken control of a territory through force or revolution may hold de facto authority even if it has not been officially recognized by other governments or does not have legal grounding.
In summary, de jure authority is about what is legally recognized, while de facto authority is about what is exercised and accepted in practice, regardless of legal status.
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