Cours 4-5

Question 1

What is political legitimacy?

Answer 1

The acceptance and justification of political authority by citizens

Political legitimacy can be assessed through normative and sociological approaches.

Question 2

What are the criteria for a political institution to be legitimate?

Answer 2

• Follow the rule of law
• Must be elected
• Must follow the laws
• Knowledgeable about the issues

Question 3

What are important qualities of an ideal political institution?

Answer 3

• Transparency in decision-making
• Interaction with citizens
• Involvement of citizens in decisions

Question 4

What is the normative approach to political legitimacy?

Answer 4

A way to define political legitimacy that only defines criteria

It assesses legitimacy based on criteria defined by scholars.

Question 5

What is the sociological/empirical approach to political legitimacy?

Answer 5

It considers legitimacy through the eyes of citizens, focusing on what they perceive as legitimate

This approach does not rely on predefined criteria.

Question 6

What three components define legitimacy beliefs according to Beetham (1991)?

Answer 6

• Legality
• Normative justifiability
• Consent

Question 7

What does ‘legality’ entail in the context of political legitimacy?

Answer 7

Rule of laws, including being elected.

Question 8

What is normative justifiability?

Answer 8

It should be justifiable in the eyes of citizens, aligning with their norms and values.

Question 9

What does consent mean in terms of political legitimacy?

Answer 9

The actual acceptance by citizens of the rules made by the institution.

Question 10

What is the definition of legitimacy beliefs?

Answer 10

Individual’s consent with the authority of a political actor, based on the assessment that its authority is normatively justifiable.

Question 11

True or False: Citizens’ beliefs about legitimacy can include their own norms and values.

Answer 11

True

Question 12

What are the three dimensions of input legitimacy?

Answer 12

• Authorization
• Responsiveness
• Accountability

Question 13

What does ‘authorization’ refer to in political legitimacy?

Answer 13

Legality; the institution must follow the rules, including being elected.

Question 14

What is meant by ‘responsiveness’ in the context of political legitimacy?

Answer 14

The government must involve citizens and consider different points of view.

Question 15

What does ‘accountability’ entail?

Answer 15

Justifying actions publicly and stepping down in cases of misconduct.

Question 16

What constitutes output legitimacy?

Answer 16

Policies that benefit citizens, such as welfare, access to health, and education.

Question 17

What are the criticisms regarding the European Union’s democratic deficit?

Answer 17

• Lack of input legitimacy
• Lack of transparency
• Lack of responsiveness and accountability

Question 18

What is politicization in political communication?

Answer 18

Making an issue more political by increasing visibility, polarization, and diversity of actors.

Question 19

What are the three requirements to politicize an issue?

Answer 19

• Visibility
• Polarization
• Diversity of actors

Question 20

How can political communication contribute to legitimacy?

Answer 20

By ensuring visibility of conflicting views and making debates accessible to political actors.

Question 21

What is the discourse style’s role in political communication?

Answer 21

It informs on actors’ goals, interests, positions, or ideologies.

Question 22

What does TINA stand for in political discourse?

Answer 22

There Is No Alternative.

Question 23

What is populism as a communication style?

Answer 23

Any communication that refers to ‘the people’ and contrasts them against the elite.

Question 24

What is populism as an ideology?

Answer 24

A thin-centered ideology that separates society into ‘the pure people’ and ‘the corrupt elite’.

Question 25

What is the relationship between populist style and populist content?

Answer 25

Populist style often correlates with populist content issues.

Question 26

How does Twitter function as a communication tool for politicians?

Answer 26

• Amplifier of messages
• Substitute for traditional channels

Question 27

What is the impact of an opposition deficit on democratic accountability?

Answer 27

If the opposition is silent, the government cannot be held accountable for their decisions.