Political LegitimacyHow and Who has the

power/authority to rule?

Political Legitimacy• Legitimacy - the right to rule.

3 Forms of Legitimacy (Max Weber)

1. Traditional Legitimacy2. Charismatic Legitimacy3. Rational-Legal Legitimacy

Political Legitimacy• Legitimacy - the right to rule.

1. Traditional Legitimacy – the belief that tradition should determine who should rule & how.oMost Monarchies o Ritual, Symbols & ceremonies

reinforceo Often shaped by religion

King Louis XIV of FranceA Divine Right Monarch

Political Legitimacy• Legitimacy - the right to rule.

2. Charismatic Legitimacy – based on the dynamic personality of an individual leader or small group. oQualities compel people to want to

follow & even give their lives to their leader

o Notoriously short-lived (does notsurvive its founder)

Nazi Leader Adolf Hitler

Political Legitimacy• Legitimacy - the right to rule.

3. Rational-Legal Legitimacy – based on a system of well-established laws & procedures. o Highly institutionalized, based on the rule of law1) Common Law – based on tradition, past practices,

and legal precedents set by the courtsex.) United States

2.) Code Law – based on a system of written rules (codes) of law set by the legislature

ex.) China, Mexico, Russia

Political LegitimacyFactors that Encourage Legitimacy1. Economic Well-Being – citizens tend to credit their

government with economic prosperity2. Historical Longevity – governments (regime forms)

that have been in place for a while3. Charismatic Leadership – powerful factor4. Shared Political Culture – citizens strongly identify

with themselves & government

5. Satisfaction – citizens benefit from the government