The capacity of power depends on the degree of legitimacy.This indicator is one of the important characteristics of effective work of political power.In many ways, this concept coincides with authoritative power.It reflects the attitude of citizens to the existing order in the country.
legitimacy of political power - the consent of the people with the system of government, when he voluntarily gives her the right to take decisions which require the mandatory implementation.If the legitimacy of the falls begin to use coercive methods of influence.
There is also such a thing as a legal authority, which many confuse with the legality.However, these two concepts are different and the structure and principles of operation.Legal authority - a legal term that refers to the extent to which the existing system of government to the current law.However, between legality and legitimacy may be some contradictions.For example, not all adopted laws can be considered fair or choose power as a result of failure of the program or of any violation can lose credibility in the eyes of people.In this case, it begins to develop a process of delegitimization of power.
note that in any society there are representatives who are dissatisfied with the selected power and system of government.Because the legitimacy of political power can never be absolute.An indication of this is the presence of the opposition in a democratic society.Because any ruling power must constantly prove to the population that defends its interests.
note that many political scientists and philosophers have studied the problem of legitimacy and effectiveness of government.They tried to explain the contradiction between the government and the population through the analysis of specific situations.As a result, the philosopher Max Weber were formed such types of legitimacy:
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traditional, based on the order of once formed.
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charismatic.It is based on the belief in the head, which are attributed to qualities such as wisdom, holiness and heroism.Such characteristics possessed religious representatives, as well as revolutionary and totalitarian leaders.
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legally.In this case, the legitimacy of political power based on the rational rules and laws.As for the democratic society, this species is mainly in his system.
This typology is a major in political theory, although many scientists have added to it a few species.So, a political scientist D. Easton allocated even ideological view, which is based on people's confidence in the reliability of the ideological canons, which were declared power.Then he described as structural legitimacy based on the trust of the population to the structure of the regime.
Note that in real life, the legitimacy of political power is rarely exists in one form.All its types can complement each other.The greatest potential lies in the basis of the legitimacy of the democratic system of government, because there is an additional source of the legitimacy of social and economic productivity of the regime, as manifested at the level of life of the population.
There are certain prerequisites to maintain the legitimacy of power in the state:
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Improvement of legislation and public administration system, which is achieved as a result of the new requirements.
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a political system whose legitimacy is based on the traditions of the people, and therefore will be characterized by a greater degree of stability.
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charismatic political leader.
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successful conduct of policy, the maintenance of order and the proper level of legitimacy.
