Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Legitimacy refers to the acceptance and recognition of a government or political system by its citizens as having the right to rule and exercise authority.
A system of government where power is vested in the people, either directly or through elected representatives, providing legitimacy through popular consent.
A form of government characterized by strong central control and limited political freedoms, often lacking widespread legitimacy due to lack of citizen participation.
The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to and accountable to laws that are fairly applied and enforced, contributing to the legitimacy of a government.