legitimacy
lih-JIT-ih-muh-see
/lɪˈdʒɪt.ɪ.mə.si/
Conformity to the law or to rules; in political philosophy, the widespread acceptance and recognition of an authority's right to govern.
Goes beyond technical legality; a law can be technically legal but lack popular legitimacy if citizens view it as deeply unjust.
The story behind the word. From Medieval Latin 'legitimatus', past participle of 'legitimare' (to make lawful), derived from Latin 'lex' (law). Sociologists expanded it to describe public consensus behind state power.
Word relationships
- validity: 'Validity' focuses on logical or technical correctness, while 'legitimacy' focuses on rightful authority and social acceptance.
- lawfulness: 'Lawfulness' means strictly abiding by statutory law, whereas 'legitimacy' encompasses broader moral authority.
- illegitimacy: Lack of rightful authority or legal validity.
- usurpation: Seizure of power without legal or moral authority.
Commonly confused with
- legality: Legality means conforming to written laws; legitimacy means being accepted as morally and political right.
Word family
- legitimate (adjective): Conforming to the law or rules; justifiable.
- legitimize (verb): To make legitimate or grant authority to.
Collocations
- political legitimacy
- democratic legitimacy
- undermine legitimacy
- confer legitimacy
Example sentences
- "Max Weber identified traditional, charismatic, and legal-rational forms of political legitimacy." Political Theory
- "Widespread government corruption quickly undermines the political legitimacy of democratic institutions." Governance
Memory hook
LEGITimacy means the government is LEGIT—recognized as having the right to rule. Rightful authority to exercise power.
When not to use
Do not use merely to describe general popularity; legitimacy implies moral or legal justification to rule.
Fun facts
- Sociologist Max Weber's 1919 lecture 'Politics as a Vocation' defined the three classical types of political legitimacy.
Related words
Explore more words
propriety, Conformity, authorize, veracity, authenticity, comply
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