statutory-construction
Authority vs Authorization, are they the same?
<p>This may be more of a grammatical/english question, but is there likely to be any dispute that there is a difference between the two words?</p>

<p>Compare:</p>

<p>Eg.1  Words giving authority to a group authorize a majority of the group to act.</p>

<p>Eg.2  Words authorizing a group to act authorize a majority of the group to act.</p>

<p>The point of dispute rests in the fact that sometimes a group is given permission to do certain acts and at other times they are required to do certain acts.  The disputed outcome is whether or not a majority of the group can act in either interpretation.</p>

<p>The definitions (in context) are:</p>

<p><strong>giving</strong>: cause or allow (someone or something) to have (something, especially something abstract)</p>

<p><strong>authority</strong>: the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience</p>

<p>So:</p>

<p><strong>giving authority</strong>: cause or allow (someone or something) to have the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience</p>

<p>And</p>

<p><strong>authorize</strong>: give official permission for or approval to (an undertaking or agent)</p>

<p>They are functionally equivalent.</p>
