Meaning and Features of Legitimacy

What is Legitimacy?

Legitimacy is the acceptance and recognition by the people of the right of the ruler to government.

The people support and accept the government because the government has been established lawfully or its performance has been accessed to be good over a period of time.

Features of Legitimacy: 

Features of legitimacy include:

(i) Legality: Government comes to power through elections (periodic and regular, free and fair elections).

(ii) Acceptability: It must be accepted by the people.

(iii) Recognition: The government must enjoy local and international recognition. 

(iv) Good Governance: The government must pursue good policies and programs, be accountable, transparent, and open in all its activities.

(v) It must have respect for the rule of law, the supremacy of the constitutionSupremacy of the constitution simply means the constitution which is the law of the land is above everybody in the country. The doctrine means that the Constitution holds the ultimate authority... More, constitutionalism, and the customs and traditions of the people.

(vi) The government must respect public opinion and tolerance for criticisms.

(vii) There must be the existence of freedom of the press and respect for fundamental human rights.

(viii) Existence of wide-scope political participation.