Many social and political concepts of our time is the brainchild of the last few hundred years.Democracy, freedom, the country - all these concepts were not so long ago, if you do not take into account the tradition interrupted forgotten for centuries of antiquity.But what is the legitimacy of the people have always known.Let this concept was not so well executed as it is today, but this recognition sought any monarch, no matter how great his power and arrogance.So let's take a closer look at what legitimacy.The term is derived from the Roman word legitimus (legitimate) means the consent of the national opinion of the country with power available to it, political system, state institutions.That is a legitimate power - it is the power with which the board agreed to most of the people.There is one point in this concept.Legitimacy - a recognition conditional power as plenipotentiary from the relevant authorities abroad.This, firstly, means that the laws issued by the government, will be executed by an overwhelming majority of the population, and this population according to the laws, since according to the authorities.Secondly, it means that this power has the right to speak on behalf of his people in the international arena, and this opinion should be considered.Quite simply, as we see.
history concepts
Now, answering the question of what is legitimate, we can make sure that it was always necessary for all governments, even if it still existed in the modern definition of the form.Ancient pharaohs and emperors of the Eastern withdrawn their ancestry from the national pantheon of deities, thereby confirming its regular stay on the throne.The right to rule the members of the Greek Areopagus determined election.European monarchs of the Renaissance proved their exclusivity noble lineage, the very sort of a long stay in power has meant that legitimacy.As you can see, even without knowing what legitimacy in modern scientific terminology, the rulers always clearly felt the need to justify their own claims.In the end, the word "legitimacy" was born after the French Revolution.Its concept has finally been clearly outlined monarchists, who advocated a return to the throne rightful king instead impostors usurped control of the country.
Features terminology
There are different types of legitimate authority.Political science identifies three main:
- traditional.This type is based on the belief of the majority of people in the inevitable obedience and virtue of this power, for a long habit.About this legitimacy should remember when it comes to the most ancient pharaohs, kings and emperors.
- rational.It is also called democratic legitimacy, and it is the most popular in the world today.Anyway, all the heads of state in a hurry to say so.This begins with the recognition of the legitimacy of the majority of the people democratically elected government.
- Charismatic.It develops as a result of people's faith in the ideal image of its ruler.An example of such legitimacy could be religious leaders, partly totalitarian dictators, whose propaganda turned into a demigod, and who have found a fanatical support of the people.
However, do not confuse the legality and legitimacy of state power among themselves.If the first we've already figured out that the legality - a strict conformity with constitutional norms and state laws.It is the only legal concept.
