Legitimacy

Question 1

what is not legitimacy?

Answer 1

1. power
2. support
3. trust
4. loyalty
   5.

Question 2

why is power not legitimacy?

Answer 2

bcs force is needed when power is challenged, when it is non legitimate

Question 3

why is support not legitimacy?

Answer 3

support is broader than legitimacy: it encompasses normatif (grounded in a moral or normative commitment to that system) and non normatif aspects, through beliefs (Citizens may support a regime simply because they believe it serves their interests or because they see no viable alternative, even if they don’t consider it just or morally right) and behaviours (Support is evident in actions such as voting, paying taxes, or complying with laws, regardless of whether those actions are motivated by a sense of legitimacy)
=/ legitimacy: normatif = the belief that a political system or authority is rightful and morally justified

Question 4

why is trust different than legitimacy?

Answer 4

trust is the belief that power-holder won’t act against your interests, it can be acquiered by actions
implies a level of confidence in their intentions and actions.
=/legitimacy (more abstract): Trust is not acceptance of a system’s moral justification; it is based on expectations of behavior.

Question 5

why is loyalty different than legitimcay?

Answer 5

loyalty is an approval based on emotional connection (can be irrational: feelings of attachment, pride, or obligation that does not align with rational interests -> not pragmatic nor conditional as was trust); often only visible once absent/ under threat (bcs cannot really e demonstrated by actions, it is an internal emotional state)

Question 6

who gave the def of trust, power, loyalty and support?

Answer 6

Gerschewski

Question 7

what are the main points of Beetham’s def of legitimacy?

Answer 7

1. legal approach(validity of power)
2. normative approach (political thought)
3. empirical approach (social sc)

Question 8

explain the legal approach of legitimacy

Answer 8

given in Beetham’s book
-validity of power through legal frameworks
-how power is acquired and exercised within established rules

Question 9

explain the normative approach of legitimacy

Answer 9

given in Beetham’s book
- justifiability of rule (is the rule justifiable?)
-Considers what power should look like, offering a more abstract perspective than the legal approach.

Question 10

explain the empirical approach of legitimacy

Answer 10

given in Beetham’s book
-common in social science
-Weber’s typology: Power is legitimate when people believe it to be, categorized as:
1. Rational-Legal: Institutionalized and rule-based, (institutions gives you legitimacy)
EX the role of president→ legitimacy is not held by the person, but more by the function
2. Traditional: Rooted in long-standing customs.
EX pope, the monarchy
3. Charismatic: Based on the leader’s personal qualities, (allocated by ppl around us, exist in the mind of ppl around you, bcs other ppl have a certain perception of these figures, that they have legitimacy)
-> the three combined= very legitimate (ex Queen Elisabeth).

Question 11

what is Beetham’s critic of Weber’s def of legitimacy?

Answer 11

1. Weber’s definition overlooks the risk that the powerful can manipulate beliefs about legitimacy.
2. Legitimacy requires examining both citizen perceptions (what they think) and government actions.
3. Criteria for legitimacy must consider both local contexts (no universal standards) and general principles.
4. criteria for legitimacy= legality, justifiability, consent

Question 12

why is the different def relevant?

Answer 12

-not just a language game
-for ex imposed regimes will not be considered legitimate, so not going to last bcs to last, NEED of legitimacy
(ex socialist regimes that were imposed by the USSR)
-consent by ci needs to be genuine/ sincere (not only that ppl say that it is legitimate) → videos of political prisoners that say that the regime is legitimate (we know that it is not bcs it is forced)
-we need to be really cautious, judgments that other regimes aren’t legitimate need to be made carefully

Question 13

on what focuses Easton’s approach of legitimacy?

Answer 13

how legitimacy is generated and operationalized within political systems:

Question 14

what is Easton’s approach of legitimacy?

Answer 14

input-output legitimacy:
-input: representation of citizens’ preferences and participation in decision-making processes (whether everyone is fairely rep in the decision-making proces)
EX: representative election YES but monarchies NO
-throughput: quality of the decision-making process: how decisions are made more than the outcome or the representation of citizens: efficiency, transparency, and inclusiveness in governance processes.
. high throughput legitimacy= EX EU council when it asks unanimity
. low= Transparency issues or phenomena like groupthink EX 49. 3 french constitution
-output: outcomes of governance are perceived as legitimate by citizens: satisfaction of citizens with the results of decisions and policies (trhough effective and desirable results)

Question 15

Rothstein functional approach of legitimcay

Answer 15

-output legitimacy is the most important form of legitimacy because regimes are often judged by their ability to deliver tangible benefits to citizens
-but criticies that output is the most important form of legitimacy: Throughput and Output Interdependence (The quality of decision-making processes directly impacts the outcomes: A poorly designed process can lead to decisions that citizens perceive as illegitimate, even if the result aligns with their interests).

Question 16

what is Beetham’s def of legitimacy?

Answer 16

-Power is legitimate when it “is acquired and exercised according to justifiable rules, and with evidence of consent”:
1.Power Acquired and Exercised According to Justifiable Rules
EX: democratic elections YES but dictatorship NO
2. Evidence of Consent Derived from Actions (voting, singning agreements, active participation…)
-> not just about compliance with laws; it involves the moral justifiability of those laws and the active consent of those governed

Question 17

what are the two challenges? can legitimacy apply to them?

Answer 17

populism and authoritarian regimes

Question 18

why does populism challenges the traditional sources of democratic legitimacy (input, throughput, and output) and undermines the safeguards of democracy?

Answer 18

1. Input Legitimacy: Questioning Representation
   Populist rhetoric creates a divide between ‘us’ (the people) and ‘them’ (the elites), claiming that:
   The people are not represented adequately.
   Elected representatives serve elite interests rather than the majority.
   -> create mistrust in leaders and instituitons

2.Output Legitimacy: Decisions Favoring a Few
Populists argue that policy outcomes do not reflect the interests of the majority but instead favor a select elite or minority.
-> no satisfaction with governance, perceptions of inequality and exclusion.

3.Throughput Legitimacy: Attacks on Institutions
Populists often advocate for direct democracy, bypassing mediating institutions like independent media, judiciary, or parliaments.
-> undermines the quality of decision-making, as institutions that safeguard fairness and accountability are discredited or dismantled, erosion of institutional checks and balances.

4.Discourse of Mistrust
Populism thrives on mistrust of elites and promises to restore trust by reconnecting politics with “the people.”
However, populist leaders themselves are often part of the elite, making their solutions ineffective or hypocritical.

Question 19

is it possible to have an authoritarian legitimacy?

Answer 19

-in Beetham’s def, no legitimacy bcs lack of democratic principles
-instead, at best, regimes try to legitimate their attempts, justify

Question 20

how and according to who can authoritarian regime gain legitimity?

Answer 20

1. input legitimacy in authoritarian regimes= some regimes allow limited oppositional representation or civil liberties to create the illusion of representation
2. throughput legitimacy= procedural justice: regimes emphasize efficient governance to build trust in institutions, even if these are controlled by the state.
   EX: Procedural justice in everyday bureaucratic dealings can foster a sense of fairness and efficiency, despite broader systemic repression

3.Output Legitimacy: Material Benefits and Stability= The most significant source of legitimacy in authoritarian regimes comes from economic development, prosperity, and promises of political stability:
Effective bureaucracy + Narratives of stability arfe used

4. The Role of Force and Manipulation:
   Authoritarian regimes often use coercion or propaganda to make citizens believe they are legitimate (questions about the genuineness of legitimacy).
   Tools include:
   Narratives of external enemies to unite citizens against a common threat.
   Force or repression to suppress dissent.
5. International Legitimacy Efforts
   Authoritarian regimes also seek legitimacy externally by:
   Promoting economic ties (e.g., attracting foreign direct investment).
   Engaging in sportswashing or PR campaigns to improve their global image (ex Qatar)

Question 21

what did Bo Rothstein wrote

Answer 21

the article ‘Creating Political Legitimacy’

Question 22

who wrote the article ‘Creating Political Legitimacy’ + explain the three examples he uses

Answer 22

Bo Rothstein
-the will of the people is a NOT primary source of legitimacy for the democratic political system
EX:
1. inability of the electoral process to translate into effective governance and the protection of citizens’ rights: Iraq after the fall of Saddam Hussein: despite multiple democratic elections, the newly elected Iraqi government failed to establish political legitimacy.
2. public opinion at a specific time may not always reflect long-term legitimacy: Swedish road-driving referendum (1955): A public referendum strongly opposed switching from left- to right-hand driving, yet when the change was later implemented by Parliament, it was widely accepted and even celebrated as a wise decision.
3. Former Yugoslavia: In the Croatian context, the Serbian minority initially sought modest demands for cultural autonomy. However, discriminatory policies by the Croatian government, rather than the electoral process itself, eroded legitimacy and contributed to violent conflict.

Question 23

for Rothstein, what is the difference between input legitimacy and output legitimacy?

Answer 23

-input legitimcay: the idea that legitimacy is derived from the participatory processes of a democracy, such as free and fair elections, and the alignment of governmental policies with the will of the people.
-output legitimacy: effectiveness and fairness of governance, particularly the quality of government performance, the impartial application of laws (equally to different groups), and the absence of corruption
-> more crucial impact on legitimcay bcs impact directly the citizens

Question 24

According to Parlar Dal e.a. and Lam e. a., why is legitimacy important to authoritarian states and International Organisations?

Answer 24

1/ authoritarian states:
-internal stability (maintain control over the population, avoid coercion),
-recognition (to improve their reputation, interact with the countries, and reduce external pressures, sanctions)
-utility (allows to justify the rules and policies, generally thanks to economic performance and leveraging of nationalism)

2/for IO:
-effectiveness (depend on legitimacy to secure compliance with their norms, rules), -norm creation (o set global standards and norms, influencing international relations and governance),
-support for multilateralism (fosters trust in multilateral framework), public trust (ensure that IO are seen as rep of collective interests, essential to address global challenges, funding),
-compliance by MS

Question 25

according to Lam, How can we explain the paradox that non-democratic regimes can still have considerable support from their citizens?

Answer 25

-Performance Legitimacy (authoritarian regimes often derive support from economic growth, stability, or successful public goods provision ex: infrastructure, healthcare).
-Cultural and Ideological Factors (in some societies, traditional, religious, or nationalist ideologies align with authoritarian rule, fostering acceptance or even approval).
-Propaganda and Control:(state-controlled media and education systems shape narratives to favor the regime, limiting exposure to alternative viewpoints).
-Fear and Coercion: (while not a form of genuine support, fear of repression can suppress dissent, creating an illusion of broad acceptance).
-National Identity: (citizens may prioritize sovereignty and strength over democratic values, particularly in regions with histories of colonialism or external interference).
“positive effect” from output

Question 26

with Dal’s article, Compare the input, throughput, and output legitimacy of NATO with that of the EU

Answer 26

1. Input Legitimacy:
   -NATO: Decision-making= consensus among all member states,
   -> intergovernmentalism but limited direct citizen participation reduces perceived democratic input.
   -EU: Citizens participate through elected representatives in the European Parliament, -> democratic input legitimacy.
2. Throughput Legitimacy (transparency):
   -NATO: Emphasis on transparency and accountability through strategic communication and reporting but criticized for lacking inclusiveness, as decisions are primarily state-driven without broader stakeholder engagement.
   -EU: Strong focus on governance quality, transparency, and inclusion, with mechanisms to allow citizen petitions… but sometimes viewed as overly bureaucratic, which can hinder throughput legitimacy.
3. Output Legitimacy:
   -NATO: Assessed based on the effectiveness of military and security operations. Successes boost legitimacy, but failures harm credibility.
   -EU: Measured by policy outcomes across diverse areas like economic integration, environmental policy, and human rights and effectiveness in responding to crises…