| 1 | ->''"For I too am a person subject to authority, with soldiers subject to me. And I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come here,' and he comes; and to my slave, 'Do this,' and he does it."'' |
| 2 | -->-- '''A Roman Centurion''' to '''UsefulNotes/{{Jesus}}''', [[Literature/TheFourGospels Luke 7:8]], ''Literature/TheBible'' |
| 3 | |
| 4 | Tropes about the different effects and displays of authority, leadership, and obedience. |
| 5 | |
| 6 | Contrast RebelTropes. |
| 7 | ---- |
| 8 | [[index]] |
| 9 | [[foldercontrol]] |
| 10 | |
| 11 | [[folder:Tropes about authority in general]] |
| 12 | [floatboxright: |
| 13 | '''See also:''' |
| 14 | + PoliticsTropes |
| 15 | + RoyaltyAndNobilityTropes |
| 16 | + {{Schoolteachers}} |
| 17 | + TheseTropesHaveBeenPromoted |
| 18 | ] |
| 19 | * ZeroPercentApprovalRating: An authority figure hated by all. |
| 20 | * AlienNonInterferenceClause: Aliens are forbidden from meddling with the affairs of humans. |
| 21 | * TheAllegedBoss |
| 22 | * AntiNepotism |
| 23 | * ArtisticLicenseEducation: In the case of teachers and other school staff exerting their authority over students when, in real life, they should not have that much authority. |
| 24 | * ArtisticLicensePolitics |
| 25 | * AsskickingLeadsToLeadership: The best fighter becomes the one in charge. |
| 26 | * AuthoritativeInPublicDocileInPrivate: Someone in a position of authority is markedly submissive when it comes to their personal life and romantic relationships. |
| 27 | * AuthorityInNameOnly: An authority figure who doesn't really have any power at all. |
| 28 | * AuthoritySoundsDeep: An authority figure's status is signaled by their deep voice. |
| 29 | * BadassBureaucrat |
| 30 | * BadBoss: An employer who is cruel, abusive and unfair towards their subordinates. |
| 31 | * BaitAndSwitchTyrant |
| 32 | * BaldOfAuthority |
| 33 | * BavarianFireDrill: Deceiving people by pretending to be an authority figure. |
| 34 | * BeleagueredBoss |
| 35 | * BenevolentBoss: An employer who is cordial, kind and fair to the employees. |
| 36 | * BigBad: The main antagonist of the work, who is often in charge of all the lesser evils the heroes confront. |
| 37 | * BigGood: The highest in authority who is on the good guys' side. |
| 38 | * BlamingTheMan |
| 39 | * BookshelfOfAuthority |
| 40 | * BotheringByTheBook |
| 41 | * BringThemAround |
| 42 | * CaptainSmoothAndSergeantRough |
| 43 | * TheChainOfCommand |
| 44 | * TheChainsOfCommanding |
| 45 | * ChallengingTheChief |
| 46 | * ClipboardOfAuthority |
| 47 | * ClocksOfControl |
| 48 | * CluelessBoss |
| 49 | * ColorCodedPatrician |
| 50 | * CoolPeopleRebelAgainstAuthority |
| 51 | * CopHater |
| 52 | * CorporalPunishment |
| 53 | * CorruptBureaucrat |
| 54 | * DelegationRelay |
| 55 | * DependingUponTheUndependable: An authority figure keeps hiring or promoting incompetent people even though they know (or should know) disaster will always result. |
| 56 | * DisobeyedOrdersNotPunished |
| 57 | * ADoormatToHisMen |
| 58 | * EarnedStripes |
| 59 | * ErmineCapeEffect |
| 60 | * EvilOverlordList: A list of things one must consider if they ever decide to become an evil overlord in order to prevent ever being defeated. |
| 61 | * ForgotICouldChangeTheRules: An authority figure forgets that it's within their power to change the rules. |
| 62 | * GoGetterGirl |
| 63 | * GracefullyDemoted: Someone with a position of power accepts or even wants their demotion. |
| 64 | * GrandInquisitorScene |
| 65 | * HatOfAuthority |
| 66 | * HeadInTheSandManagement |
| 67 | * TheHero |
| 68 | * HumansAreLeaders |
| 69 | * InItsHourOfNeed |
| 70 | * IronLady |
| 71 | * JustGivingOrders |
| 72 | * KingOnHisDeathbed |
| 73 | * KlingonPromotion |
| 74 | * LargeAndInCharge: The leader is also the largest of the group. |
| 75 | * TheLastDJ |
| 76 | * LawfulEvil |
| 77 | * LawfulGood |
| 78 | * LawfulNeutral |
| 79 | * LawfulPushover |
| 80 | * TheLeader: The member of the group who calls the shots. |
| 81 | * LeaderFormsTheHead |
| 82 | * TheManBehindTheMonsters: A human/someone resembling a human who leads an army of monsters that look less human. |
| 83 | * MeanBoss: An employer who is impolite and petty towards their subordinates, but still fair. |
| 84 | * MightMakesRight |
| 85 | * MisterBig |
| 86 | * MistressAndServantBoy |
| 87 | * {{Nepotism}}: Employing your relatives. |
| 88 | * ObstructiveBureaucrat: A bureaucrat who makes people file assloads of paperwork before they can be allowed to do anything. |
| 89 | * ObstructiveCodeOfConduct |
| 90 | * OrderedToDie |
| 91 | * PenPushingPresident |
| 92 | * PhysicalFitnessPunishment |
| 93 | * PleaseSpareHimMyLiege |
| 94 | * PunctualityIsForPeasants |
| 95 | * RankScalesWithAsskicking: Your skill in combat is equivalent to your rank in the hierarchy. |
| 96 | * ReasonableAuthorityFigure: An authority figure who is fair and unbiased, choosing not to take sides and allow all parties to defend themselves. |
| 97 | * ReasonableRequestRejected |
| 98 | * RiskingTheKing |
| 99 | * ScrewTheRulesIMakeThem: An authority figure believes that being in charge makes them above the law. |
| 100 | * ShamCeremony |
| 101 | * ShortLivedLeadership |
| 102 | * SilkHidingSteel |
| 103 | * SlidingScaleOfLeadershipResponsibility |
| 104 | * StaffOfAuthority |
| 105 | * StampOfRejection |
| 106 | * StandardizedLeader |
| 107 | * StillTheLeader |
| 108 | * SupportingLeader |
| 109 | * SwordOfDamocles |
| 110 | * TeenageWasteland |
| 111 | * ThatsAnOrder |
| 112 | * ToughLeaderFacade |
| 113 | * TyrantTakesTheHelm |
| 114 | * UnderNewManagement |
| 115 | * UnderStrangeManagement: An organization is run by unexpected or unqualified people. |
| 116 | * UnfitForGreatness |
| 117 | * UniversallyBelovedLeader |
| 118 | * VastBureaucracy |
| 119 | * VerticalPowerPlay: A character positions themself to appear bigger as expression of power, or smaller as an expression of submission. |
| 120 | * VolatileSecondTierPosition: The second-highest job in a hierarchy, but with some very demanding drawbacks. |
| 121 | * WhipOfDominance: Using a whip as a symbol of dominance, control, authority, or sadism. |
| 122 | * YoungAndInCharge |
| 123 | * YouRebelScum |
| 124 | * ZenSlap |
| 125 | [[/folder]] |
| 126 | |
| 127 | [[folder:Authority and Love]] |
| 128 | * BodyguardCrush |
| 129 | * IgnoredEnamoredUnderling |
| 130 | * LadyAndKnight |
| 131 | * PowerDynamicsKink: Power and subordination serving as an erotic "turn-on". |
| 132 | * PowerfulPeopleAreSubs: An authority figure with an iron fist is ironically very submissive in the bedroom. |
| 133 | * SubordinateExcuse |
| 134 | * UnequalPairing |
| 135 | [[/folder]] |
| 136 | |
| 137 | [[folder:Corporate Authority]] |
| 138 | * ArmyOfLawyers |
| 139 | * CorruptCorporateExecutive: The head of a corporation is evil or at least very unscrupulous. |
| 140 | * GradeSchoolCEO |
| 141 | * HonestCorporateExecutive: The head of a corporation is honest and refuses to use their company to do anything illegal or unethical. |
| 142 | * MajorityShareDictator |
| 143 | [[/folder]] |
| 144 | |
| 145 | [[folder:Governmental Authority]] |
| 146 | * ActionPolitician |
| 147 | * AdiposeRex: A ruler who is overweight. |
| 148 | * {{Ambadassador}} |
| 149 | * AnarchoTyranny: A corrupt government or tyrannical regime creates a state of AnarchyIsChaos so everyone is too busy fighting each other to worry about them, criminal neglect on a nationwide scale. |
| 150 | * AwesomeMomentOfCrowning |
| 151 | * BenevolentDictator |
| 152 | * BenevolentMageRuler |
| 153 | * TheCaligula: A ruler who is insane. |
| 154 | * AChildShallLeadThem |
| 155 | * {{Cincinnatus}} |
| 156 | * CorruptPolitician |
| 157 | * CourtMage |
| 158 | * CourtPhysician |
| 159 | * TheCreon |
| 160 | * DivineRightOfKings |
| 161 | * EasilyElected |
| 162 | * EmergencyAuthority |
| 163 | * TheEmperor |
| 164 | * EmperorScientist |
| 165 | * EvilChancellor |
| 166 | * EvilOverlord |
| 167 | * FeudalOverlord |
| 168 | * FisherKing: A ruler whose very presence causes the land to become the same way they are. |
| 169 | * FounderOfTheKingdom |
| 170 | * TheGeneralissimo |
| 171 | * TheGhostKing |
| 172 | * GodSaveUsFromTheQueen |
| 173 | * TheGoodChancellor |
| 174 | * TheGoodKing: A benevolent ruler. |
| 175 | * GovernmentConspiracy |
| 176 | * GovernmentInExile |
| 177 | * TheHighQueen |
| 178 | * IOwnThisTown |
| 179 | * JustTheFirstCitizen: A monarch with a modest title. |
| 180 | * TheKingslayer: Killing a ruler. |
| 181 | * MayorPain: A mayor who is either sketchy or incompetent. |
| 182 | * MyCountryRightOrWrong |
| 183 | * TheNecrocracy |
| 184 | * OfferedTheCrown |
| 185 | * ThePerformerKing |
| 186 | * PermanentElectedOfficial: An elected official who is always in office. |
| 187 | * PointyHairedBoss: An incompetent employer. |
| 188 | * ThePhilosopherKing |
| 189 | * PlanetBaron: The ruler or owner of an entire planet. |
| 190 | * PoliticallyActivePrincess |
| 191 | * PresidentSuperhero |
| 192 | * PrincessesRule |
| 193 | * ThePuppetCutsHisStrings |
| 194 | * PuppetKing |
| 195 | * RecliningReigner |
| 196 | * RegentForLife |
| 197 | * ReluctantRuler |
| 198 | * RoyalFavorite: Their authority is often second only to the monarch, due to the high regard the monarch has for them, regardless of actual position in society. |
| 199 | * RoyallyScrewedUp |
| 200 | * RoyalWe: Royalty addressing themselves with plural pronouns. |
| 201 | * RoyalsWhoActuallyDoSomething: A ruler who doesn't just sit around on the throne giving orders and actually does things to help their people. |
| 202 | * RulerProtagonist |
| 203 | * RulingCouple |
| 204 | * ShadowDictator |
| 205 | * SheIsTheKing: A female ruler is addressed with a title that typically goes to men. |
| 206 | * SkeletonGovernment |
| 207 | * SorcerousOverlord |
| 208 | * SuperCivilServices |
| 209 | * SupernaturalElite |
| 210 | * TyrannicalHomeownersAssociation |
| 211 | * {{Tyrannicide}} |
| 212 | * UltimateAuthorityMayor: The mayor has more power than they would in real life. |
| 213 | * VampireMonarch |
| 214 | * WarriorPrince |
| 215 | [[/folder]] |
| 216 | |
| 217 | [[folder:Military Authority]] |
| 218 | * AntiMutiny |
| 219 | * TheBrigadier |
| 220 | * TheCaptain |
| 221 | * ColonelBadass |
| 222 | * CommandingCoolness |
| 223 | * TheConqueror |
| 224 | * DrillSergeantNasty: A military officer who tends to yell at and berate his charges. |
| 225 | * AFatherToHisMen: A leader who is like a father figure to the soldiers he leads. |
| 226 | * FieldPromotion |
| 227 | * FourStarBadass |
| 228 | * FrontlineGeneral |
| 229 | * GeneralFailure: A general who is very incompetent. |
| 230 | * GeneralRipper: A military leader who insanely pursues a vendetta against the enemy. |
| 231 | * MajorlyAwesome |
| 232 | * MookCommander |
| 233 | * TheMutiny |
| 234 | * TheNeidermeyer |
| 235 | * OfficerAndAGentleman |
| 236 | * SergeantRock |
| 237 | * TimeToStepUpCommander |
| 238 | * TheWarlord: A military leader with power and authority beyond legal or official status. |
| 239 | * YouAreInCommandNow |
| 240 | [[/folder]] |
| 241 | |
| 242 | [[folder:School Authority]] |
| 243 | * ApatheticTeacher: A teacher who doesn't give a damn how well their students do. |
| 244 | * BadassTeacher |
| 245 | * BigManOnCampus |
| 246 | * CoolTeacher: A teacher who is considered awesome by the students. |
| 247 | * CreepyGymCoach |
| 248 | * DeanBitterman: A school principal who hates everyone. |
| 249 | * EvilPrincipal: A principal who is evil. |
| 250 | * EvilTeacher: A teacher who is evil. |
| 251 | * FiredTeacher |
| 252 | * HippieTeacher |
| 253 | * HotLibrarian |
| 254 | * LoonyLibrarian |
| 255 | * MisplacedKindergartenTeacher |
| 256 | * NonGivingUpSchoolGuy: A person who won't rest until children playing hooky are forced to go class. |
| 257 | * PoliticallyMotivatedTeacher |
| 258 | * PsychologistTeacher |
| 259 | * PuttingThePalInPrincipal: A school principal who wants the students to see him as their friend. |
| 260 | * TheQuarterback |
| 261 | * RedArmbandOfLeadership: Red armband signifying prefects or student council members in Japanese schools. |
| 262 | * SadistTeacher: A teacher who enjoys tormenting their students and making things unreasonably hard for them. |
| 263 | * SaveOurStudents |
| 264 | * ScaryLibrarian |
| 265 | * {{Schoolmarm}} |
| 266 | * SternTeacher: A teacher who may be a bit harsh at times, but actually does care about the students and is only being hard on them because they want them to do well. |
| 267 | * YellowSashOfPower: Hall monitors having unreasonable amounts of power. |
| 268 | [[/folder]] |
| 269 | |
| 270 | [[folder:Subordinates]] |
| 271 | * AloofLeaderAffableSubordinate |
| 272 | * BreakingOutTheBoss: A gang of criminals break their incarcerated boss from prison. |
| 273 | * DesperatelyNeedsOrders |
| 274 | * DitchTheBodyguards |
| 275 | * TheDragon: The villain who is second-in-command to the main villain. |
| 276 | * EliteMooks |
| 277 | * EvilMinions |
| 278 | * FacelessGoons |
| 279 | * IControlMyMinionsThrough |
| 280 | * JustFollowingOrders |
| 281 | * LoyalToThePosition |
| 282 | * MechaMooks: Robotic minions. |
| 283 | * MookLieutenant: The villain's henchmen are led by one who has slightly more depth and difference from the rank-and-file goons. |
| 284 | * {{Mooks}}: The generic underlings of the main villain. |
| 285 | * MoreSeniorSubordinate |
| 286 | * MyMasterRightOrWrong |
| 287 | * NoBadassToHisValet |
| 288 | * NoHeroToHisValet |
| 289 | * ThePawnsGoFirst |
| 290 | * PsychoSupporter |
| 291 | * TheQuisling: Someone betrays the rest of his kind to side with the invading forces. |
| 292 | * SaneBossPsychoHenchmen |
| 293 | * WeakBossStrongUnderlings |
| 294 | [[/folder]] |
| 295 | |
| 296 | [[folder:Other]] |
| 297 | * BadassPreacher |
| 298 | * TheCommissionerGordon |
| 299 | * CrankyLandlord |
| 300 | * DeadlyDoctor |
| 301 | * DimensionLord |
| 302 | * DoctorsOrders |
| 303 | * TheDon |
| 304 | * HeroicTeamRevolt |
| 305 | * HighPriest |
| 306 | * InsectQueen |
| 307 | * KingOfBeasts |
| 308 | * KingOfTheHomeless: A leader who rules over homeless people. |
| 309 | * KingOfThieves |
| 310 | * ThePatriarch |
| 311 | * TheQueenpin |
| 312 | * RebelLeader |
| 313 | * RebelliousRebel |
| 314 | * {{Showrunner}} |
| 315 | * WardensAreEvil |
| 316 | [[/folder]] |
| 317 | |
| 318 | [[/index]] |
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