1.9 Sustaining Legitimacy

Sustaining Legitimacy

Legitimacy is the public belief that a government has the right to rule. Governments sustain legitimacy when people see them as effective, lawful, responsive, or connected to accepted traditions and institutions. For AP Comparative Government, use specific course-country examples to show how policy effectiveness, political efficacy, economic development, corruption, devolution, and election integrity shape public trust.

• Economic growth: When people see economic conditions improving, they are more likely to view the government as effective and legitimate.
  • Example: In Nigeria, the oil boom of 1970s brought more legitimacy to the government (in the short-term) because the population saw an increase on jobs and economic prosperity.
• Political Efficacy: It refers to the perception of an individual in how they can influence political decisions and outcomes.
  • Example: UK citizens — who on average have broad access to education and political information — often believe they play a role in the political system. Their political efficacy is overall high.
• Charismatic Leadership: With charismatic leadership, people admire the leader's qualities and abilities. People believe they have special talents or traits that make them extraordinary.
  • Example: Vladimir Putin is considered a charismatic leader because he embodies a strong sense of pride in Russian nationalism and he legitimizes his power through his charisma and ability to defend Russia against western influence.
• Institutionalized laws and rule of law: Institutionalized laws—predictable, codified rules applied by impartial courts—help sustain legitimacy. Consists of the idea that all individuals and institutions are bound to the law. It can be reinforced through a robust legal system, an independent judiciary, and a just and effective law enforcement. Rule of law depends on clear, institutionalized laws applied impartially by independent courts; a written constitution can support but is neither necessary (e.g., UK) nor sufficient by itself to ensure rule of law.
  • Example: In Mexico, institutionalized laws—such as constitutional rights and formal legal procedures—can bolster legitimacy when courts enforce them impartially; however, inconsistent enforcement can weaken perceptions of rule of law.
• Policy effectiveness: Delivering competent public services and achieving stated policy goals (public safety, infrastructure, health, education) builds trust and legitimacy.
  • Example: The UK's rapid vaccine rollout in 2021 bolstered confidence in the government's capacity; China’s poverty alleviation campaigns increased perceptions of government effectiveness among supporters.
• Tradition: Historical institutions, symbols, and rituals reinforce continuity and public acceptance of authority.
  • Example: In the UK, the monarchy and longstanding parliamentary traditions reinforce the legitimacy of the political system.
• Peaceful resolution of conflicts: Using negotiation, courts, or institutional mechanisms to resolve disputes (rather than repression or violence) can strengthen legitimacy.
  • Example: In the UK, disputes related to the Brexit process were handled through courts and parliamentary procedures, signaling institutional conflict resolution.
• Peaceful transfer of power: Routine, uncontested transitions after elections reinforce the rule of law and trust in institutions.
  • Examples: Mexico’s 2000 transition from PRI to PAN; Nigeria’s 2015 concession by Goodluck Jonathan; the UK’s regular transitions between parties.
• Reduced governmental corruption: Effective anti-corruption measures, transparent procurement, and independent auditing increase trust and legitimacy.
  • Example: Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutions signal efforts to reduce graft and improve accountability.

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Losing Legitimacy

Just how a government gains legitimacy, it can quickly be lost. For instance, a regime can lose legitimacy because of corruption, lack of free and fair elections, one-party domination, an economic depression, or major social conflict. Once again, because this is a course of application, let us look at some examples in our course countries:

• Reduced electoral competition: legal barriers and candidate disqualifications can limit voter choice and undermine legitimacy (e.g., Iran’s Guardian Council disqualifying large numbers of candidates; Russia’s exclusion of opposition candidates).

Contested Election Results and Protests
Across course countries, questions about the integrity of election results can trigger protests that weaken regime legitimacy and stall democratization (e.g., Russia 2011–2012 protests over alleged fraud; Mexico’s 2006 post-election protests).

• Russia 🇷🇺 — Nationwide protests against electoral fraud in the 2011 elections, leading to mass arrests of protesters and some opposition figures. Led to many disgruntled citizens who lost faith in their electoral system. Such protests over perceived electoral fraud can weaken regime legitimacy and stall democratization.
• The UK 🇬🇧 — Brexit-related policy uncertainty and economic strains have challenged public confidence in governing institutions and leadership capacity, contributing to dissatisfaction and polarization.
• China 🇨🇳 — China’s conviction rate is reported to be over 99%. Near-certain convictions and heightened punishment of activists reduce perceived political efficacy and suppress dissent, which can undermine legitimacy among segments of the public.
• Mexico 🇲🇽 — The inability to deal with certain social issues, such as the predominance of organized crime and cartel violence, has disrupted the government’s legitimacy.
  • The College board reinforces the idea that the Devolution and Delegation of powers to regional governments can also contribute to this inefficiency. For example, because several states in Mexico do not have a very well-coordinated plan against organized crime and narco-trafficking, they cannot deal with this issue very efficiently.
  • Devolution and delegation of power to regional governments can enhance or weaken legitimacy by:
    • Enhancing: promoting policy innovation, matching policies to local needs, improving policies through competition, increasing political participation, checking central power, and allowing better representation of religious/ethnic/minority groups. Example: UK devolution to Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland increased representation and participation; Nigeria’s federalism allows some states to reflect local religious/legal preferences.
    • Weakening: creating contradictory policies, complicating or impeding implementation, allowing inequality between regions, increasing competition for resources, and exacerbating ethnic or local tensions. Example: Mexico’s uneven state capacity in security policy; Nigeria’s regional disparities fuel resource competition and tensions.
• Iran 🇮🇷 — One of the main reasons of social unrest in Iran is the human rights abuse history of the nation. This causes the people to distrust the government.
• Nigeria 🇳🇬 — Questions about the freeness and fairness of some Nigerian elections—due to irregularities, fraud, and voter intimidation—have reduced public trust in electoral integrity.
  • Although its elections are overseen by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), some irregularities have been observed in recent elections, as well as fraud and voter intimidation.