Authors: Lipset
Summary: In approximately 2900 words, this entry defines legitimacy, discusses the concept's relationship with democracy and political elites, explores different sources of legitimacy, and concludes by considering the significance of a regime's political and economic performance for its continued legitimacy.
Legitimacy is defined simply as "an accepted entitlement or sanction to rule." The entry points out that general legitimacy derives from shared beliefs, and such consensus, by its very nature, develops slowly. Democratic legitimacy specifically derives from a shared belief in and commitment to democratic government as the most appropriate ruling form.
Political elites play a central role both in maintaining stable democracies and transforming societies into democracies. Although mass opinion can have an extremely significant effect on democratic maintenance and transformation, the role of political elites is still more potent. Democratic legitimacy is vital if a regime is to successfully negotiate crises and still retain popular support. The entry provides a number of illuminating examples that illustrate these points effectively.
Max Weber pointed out that historical traditions and individual charisma are both important sources of political legitimacy. Monarchies and constitutions are two historical or traditional sources of legitimacy. When such sources are weak, however, legitimacy may derive from an individual leader's own charisma. This kind of legitimacy is extremely unstable and rarely lays sufficient groundwork for a democratic regime.
A third source of legitimacy--what Weber calls rational-legal--is a government's success over a period of time. Often it appears that economic issues are the most significant measure of a regime's success. However, citizens do put great priority on other values as well, including freedom, order and personal security, and expect their government to provide them. But overall, long-run democracy does seem to depend on economic stability and progress as one of its primary legitimating sources.