The institutions that specialize in the exercise of power and authority are know as:

A) forms of authority
B) civil society
C) coercive institutions
D) the state
E) formal organizations

Coercive Institutions

Institutions, such as prisons or the military, where control is maintained through force, and compliance is enforced among its members.

The State

Consists of the institutions responsible for formulating and carrying out a country’s laws and public policies.