Legitimacy:
Meaning:
Legitimacy means something that is done legally and fairly, and is accepted by everyone
involved.
In politics, legitimacy has two sides:
1. Normative (What should be): It asks whether a government or state deserves to be
obeyed. This connects to the legal ideas of de jure (legal) and de facto (in reality) power.
It basically means: Is the government acting lawfully and rightfully?
2. Empirical (What is): This looks at whether most people in a country believe their
government is legitimate. No matter what kind of political system it is—democracy,
monarchy, or dictatorship—if most people accept it and follow its rules, it is seen as
legitimate.
Types of Legitimacy in Political Systems:
• Democracies claim legitimacy by saying they fulfill people’s needs, like providing
services and respecting voters' choices.
• Authoritarian regimes or dictatorships may say they are legitimate because they give
benefits (like jobs or stability) to the people, especially workers.
What is Political Legitimacy?
It means that people generally agree with and support the government and its actions. When a
large majority of people follow the laws and trust the government, the regime (system) is seen as
legitimate.
But if people stop obeying or trusting the government, the system becomes forceful and starts to
lose its authority. That leads to a crisis of legitimacy—people no longer believe in or follow the
government.
Jean Blondel's view:
He said that legitimacy is about how much people accept their political system without
constantly questioning it. The more people accept it, the more legitimate it is. If fewer people
accept it, legitimacy goes down.
Political Participation and Legitimacy:
According to Liser, political power is truly legitimate when people believe that the system
represents them, was made for them, and works in a way that respects their needs and wishes.
These systems are not forced upon people—they are accepted naturally.
The legitimacy and success of any political system depend on how well it listens to people’s
needs and solves their problems.
Bases of Legitimacy:
People have different views about what makes a government or ruler legitimate (rightful or
acceptable). Some believe in elections, others in tradition, and so on. There’s no single rule—it
depends on what people accept as rightful authority.
1. Tradition
• A government becomes legitimate when it has ruled for a long time without much
opposition.
• People accept it simply because "it has always been this way."
2. Control (Might is Right)
• If a government has strong control, protects its people, and keeps peace, it is often seen as
legitimate.
• This is based on power—if a regime can stay in control, it gets accepted, especially by
other countries.
3. Religion or Ideology
• Some governments are based on religion or strong beliefs (ideologies).
• As long as rulers follow those religious or ideological rules, they are seen as rightful
leaders.
• Example: A theocracy (rule in the name of religion).
4. Legality (Law-based Legitimacy)
• A government is legitimate if it works through a legal system made by the people.
• It must also follow the law itself and not misuse its power.
5. Morality
• A government gains legitimacy by doing what is morally right—like protecting human
rights and minorities.
• But moral values can differ from one society to another, so this basis can be debated.
6. Consent of the People
• The strongest base of legitimacy: when people agree to be governed.
• This is the foundation of democracy.
• But consent can be hard to measure, especially in places where people are afraid to speak
out.
Ways to recognize consent:
• Free and fair elections with good participation
• Public support
• Long-standing acceptance in society
Levels of Legitimacy:
Legitimacy refers to how much people accept and support their government. It can vary in
strength depending on public perception.
1. High-Level Legitimacy
When people genuinely believe their government is acting in their best interest and doing what is
right, they willingly follow its laws and support its decisions.
This results in a stable and effective political system.
Governments with high legitimacy can more easily create policies, solve problems, and handle
crises because they enjoy public trust.
2. Low-Level Legitimacy
When people obey the government only out of fear or pressure—rather than belief or trust—
legitimacy is low.
Such governments often face difficulties in decision-making and governance.
People may lose faith in the system and could even resort to protests or violence to express
dissatisfaction or demand change.
Kinds of Legitimacy (by Max Weber)
Max Weber, a renowned sociologist, identified three main types of political legitimacy:
1. Traditional Legitimacy
This form is rooted in customs, long-standing practices, and inherited authority.
People accept a system or ruler because “it has always been this way.”
• In many traditional societies, rulers are accepted because of family lineage or religious
customs.
• Monarchies (e.g., kings and queens) are common examples. Their authority is not based
on elections but on heritage.
• Rituals, legends, and traditions help maintain this kind of legitimacy.
The longer such systems endure, the more they become accepted as the natural order.
2. Charismatic Legitimacy
This type is based on the personal qualities and vision of a leader.
People follow them due to their charm, inspiring words, and powerful ideas.
• Such leaders attract loyalty because of who they are and what they represent, not because
of traditions or formal rules.
Examples:
• Religious leaders like Jesus Christ or Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
• Political leaders like Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who inspired millions with
his vision and leadership.
This form of legitimacy is often temporary. It tends to fade after the leader’s death unless their
beliefs are transformed into lasting institutions or traditions—a process called “routinization of
charisma.”
Rational-Legal Legitimacy :
Rational-legal legitimacy is different from the other two main types of legitimacy. It’s not based
on traditions or a leader’s personal charm. Instead, it is built on a system of laws, rules, and
proper procedures.
People follow the government not because they admire the person in charge, but because they
trust the system to be fair and in the public’s interest.
Key Points
• The leader is respected not for personal qualities, but for the official role or position
they hold.
• Once someone leaves that position, they also lose their power, because the legitimacy
belongs to the office, not the individual.
• Modern nation-states are mostly based on this rational-legal system.
• These systems depend on institutions, rules, and bureaucracies (like courts,
parliaments, or ministries) to make decisions.
• People obey the law because they believe the process is fair, and they trust the system to
treat everyone equally.
Mix of All Types of Legitimacy:
Even though rational-legal legitimacy is common today, the other types of legitimacy still exist
and play a role:
• Charismatic leaders like Gandhi, Quaid-e-Azam, and Nelson Mandela are still admired
because of their powerful ideas and inspiring leadership.
• Traditional systems still survive in countries like the UK, Japan, and Sweden, where
royal families continue to exist. Even if they don’t have much real power, they are still
deeply respected.
• Sometimes, legal systems themselves become respected traditions over time. For
example, the U.S. Constitution is a legal document, but many Americans also view it as
a symbol of tradition and identity.
