Factors that Determine Legitimacy of Government (Factors that Influence Legitimacy)

The following factors determine legitimacy of government:

(i) Popular Support: A legitimate government will receive the support of the people through sovereigntySovereignty is a political concept that refers to dominant power or supreme authority. In a monarchy, supreme power resides in the "sovereign", or king. In modern democracies, sovereign power rests with... More.

(ii) Wide Scope Political Participation: The citizens must be seen to take active participation in politics.

(iii) Good Governance: The government should be responsive and accountable to enjoy popular support.

(iv) Good and Focused Leadership: Legitimacy will be accorded to focused, purposeful leaders.

(v) Upholding of State Ideology: Legitimacy will be accorded to a government that upholds the tenets and ideology of the state.

(vi) Periodic and regular elections and free and fair elections are important determinants of legitimacy.

(vii) An appreciable level of socio-economic developmentThe process of improving the social and economic well-being of a society or nation is referred to as socio-economic development. It includes the processes involved in improving a society's economic and... More achieved/pursued by a government will attract legitimacy.

(viii) Respect for the provisions of the constitutionA constitution is a set of fundamental rules that determine how a country or state is run. More; strict adherence to the constitution and respect for the customs and traditions of the people are also determinants of legitimacy.

(ix) International recognition of the government is another important factor.

(x) Respect for the rule of law and fundamental human rights are vital developments.

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