Any human society, whether it consists of many millions or just a few people, cannot exist without a certain power structure. People by nature are programmed to form a hierarchical structure in which some play a leading role, while others play a subordinate role.
But if among animals the issue of choosing a leader is solved simply - who is stronger and more aggressive, he will be the main one - then for people the fundamental concept is legitimacy, i.e. the legitimacy of the existing power structure.
Social sciences call legitimacy an essential property of power, i.e. without which power simply does not exist or it remains only nominal. Word "legitimacy" derived from latin legitimus, which means "lawful, lawful" and means the degree of recognition of power by other people.
Legitimate power is recognized without objection by all the people subject to it, its orders do not cause resistance and are implicitly carried out. The lower the legitimacy of power, the more it is forced to rely on coercion to implement management functions.
The concept of legitimacy, the legality of power is one of the oldest in human society, but the term itself arose relatively recently, about two hundred years ago. A bourgeois revolution took place in France, later called the Great, and the population was divided: some recognized the power of the revolutionary Convention, and later Napoleon, who proclaimed himself emperor, while others were confident in the illegality of these authorities and fought against them, trying to restore the power of the deposed king.
Napoleon managed to establish his rule for a long time, pacifying dissent. Despite the fact that from the point of view of the law, his coming to power, and hence the power itself, was rather doubtful, yet it was recognized by almost the entire population of the country, which means that this power was legitimate in the eyes of the French.
The English political scientist D. Bitem developed the structure of the legitimacy of power. 
According to his concept, power has legitimacy when:
- complies with the rules adopted in society, or established with its arrival;
— the rules justifying its establishment refer to or philosophical outlook, shared by both the authorities and the ruled people;
— there is evidence of a consensus in relations between the authorities and the people.
In the beginning, legitimacy was synonymous with legality. Today, this concept means the recognition by the population of the right to power, which is not always based on legal grounds. One should not confuse legitimacy with legality - the compliance of power with existing legal norms.
According to fundamental theory German philosopher and economist Max Weber, for the legitimation of power, two main factors are necessary: recognition of it as such through existing state institutions and the duty of the population to obey that authority. Weber identified three basic types of legitimacy:
- traditional, based on a long tradition - for example, monarchical inherited power or the power of elders, patriarchs, etc .;
- charismatic, based on outstanding personal qualities- the power of a leader, leader, prophet, often not backed by law and formalized retroactively;
- rational, which is based on the legal procedure for gaining power through elections, which can be democratic (through the will of the governed) or technocratic (obtained through demonstrated abilities). 
In reality, none of the types of legitimacy can exist in its pure form. The state power of any nation acquires its own forms, characteristic of the country, which are a mixture different types legitimacy.
However, the most widespread today is the rational form of democratic power, which, in turn, can have different sources its legitimacy.
Rational power can be based on several sources (bases) of legitimacy in the eyes of the population:
— ideological principles convincing citizens that this form of government is best suited to their well-being;
- trust in the mechanism for obtaining power, traditions and norms that have existed for many tens or even hundreds of years;
- positive personal qualities of subjects personifying power (president, chancellor, prime minister);
- rational calculation of citizens on certain factors in relation to;
- coercion by force government agencies or the political machine;
— the influence of foreign sources of power.
It is clear that power cannot be equally legitimate for everyone. How less people recognizes it, the more often and stronger the authorities are forced to resort to forceful methods. Modern society increasingly inclined to consider the legitimacy of the acting subject of power through the prism of their own well-being, i.e. how effectively the government operates to ensure it. 
In this aspect, power can be considered either as a subject that embodies it, or as an entire system that provides preferences to one strata of society at the expense of others. The deterioration in the well-being of ordinary members of society contributes to the delegitimization of power, which has long lost its sacred meaning in the eyes of the population.
- (lat. legitimus, from lex, legis law). Law. Dictionary foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910. LEGITIMA [lat. legitimus] legal, corresponding to the law. Dictionary of foreign words. Komlev N.G ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
legitimate- an authorized, legitimate, legal Dictionary of Russian synonyms. legitimate adj. legal corresponding to the law) Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Context 5.0 Informatics. 2012 ... Synonym dictionary
legitimate- oh, oh. legitim adj. 1. Consistent with the laws, lawful. Legitimate rights. ALS 1. However, her smirnova's trip abroad is probably a consequence of her extra-legal or lying position in order to stop rumors, if not with that ... ... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language
LEGITIMATE- LEGITIMATE, oh, oh (special). Recognized by law, in accordance with the law. | noun legitimacy, and, wives. L. power. Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov
legitimate- adj. Is in accordance with the law in force in the state; legal, legal. Explanatory Dictionary of Efremova. T. F. Efremova. 2000... Modern explanatory dictionary of the Russian language Efremova
legitimate- legal name; briefly form of men, me ... Russian spelling dictionary
legitimate- kr.f. legity / man, legity / me, me, me ... Spelling Dictionary of the Russian Language
legitimate- oh, oh; me, me, many. [from lat. legitimus lawful, lawful] Legal. L aya power ... encyclopedic Dictionary
legitimate- Something that is genuine, valid or legal. For example, a legal migrant enters with the legitimate intent to comply with immigration laws and presents legitimate travel documents. see also conscientious... International Migration Law: Glossary of Terms
legitimate- legal... Dictionary of foreign words edited by I. Mostitsky
from lat. "legitimus" - legal) - the legitimacy of political power, its public recognition, approval by the majority of the population and consent to obey the authorities.
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from lat. Legitimus - agreeable with the laws, lawful, lawful). The meaning of the concept "L." translated into Russian. language as the legitimacy of power. The history of the concept of "L." goes back to the Middle Ages, when an understanding of L. is formed as an agreement with customs, traditions and established behavior. Mostly L. was interpreted as the right of the supreme officials act according to customs, but already around the middle of the XIV century. begins to be used in the sense of the authority of elective power. This term was introduced into political science and developed in detail by M. Weber. German sociologist and political scientist pointed out that any government needs its own justification, recognition and support. It is the recognition of power, faith in its just character, agreement with the existing division of rights and duties that, according to Weber, constitutes the basis of L. The subordination of the main "mass" to the ruling groups is based on the predominantly emotional nature of the adoption of power. Thus, L. mainly reflects the subjective - irrational attitude of persons and structures subject to power itself. In the XX century, the category "L." actively used in Western political science. First of all, it is used to characterize political stability and analyze the effectiveness of political institutions. In Amer. political science, the concept of L. was intensively developed by S. Lipset (“Political Man”) and L. Binder (“Iran. Political Development in a Changing Society”), in French. political science M. Duverger. In the late 60s - early 70s. The problem of L. was studied in close connection with the theory of domination by representatives of the Frankfurt School, primarily by J. Habermas (“Problems of Legitimation of Late Capitalism”), as well as by K. Eder, K. Offe, and M. Foucault. L. is not only a theoretical problem of modern political science, but also the most acute practical problem of any power systems. The absence of broad L. institutions of power inevitably leads to the refusal of those subject to recognize any acts of power, regardless of their rationality, to political instability, tension, and intensification of conflicts. The most problematic is the provision of broad L. power during the period of transformation social systems, the transition from one political regime to another, when the old ways of justifying power are destroyed and rejected by the majority, new ones have not yet been created and do not work. In such a situation, the authorities begin to "slip" - decisions are made, but not implemented. As experience shows, the legislative expansion of the executive branch of power does not contribute to its effectiveness, to overcoming the crisis of power institutions. A way out of the state of "anarchy" is possible on the way to the search for and creation of broad L. power, necessary condition which are free elections on a multi-party basis in a democratic society.
Literature: Ozhiganov E. N. The concept of "legitimation" in the theory of the political system // Development of political systems in modern world. M., 1981; Ozhiganov EN Political theory of Max Weber. Riga, 1986; Shpakova R.P. Legitimacy of political power: Weber and modernity // Soviet state and law, 1990, no. 3.
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Applied to political legitimacy famous English political scientist David Beetham developed a "normative framework of political legitimacy":
Legal- recognized by law, in accordance with the law.
The term "legitimate" originated in early XIX century and expressed the desire to restore the power of the king in France as the only legal one, in contrast to the power of the usurper. At the same time, this word acquired another meaning - the recognition of this state power and territory of the state at the international level. The demand for the legitimacy of power arose as a reaction against the violent change of power and the redrawing of state borders, against arbitrariness and ochlocracy.
Legitimacy means the recognition by the population of this power, its right to govern. Legitimate power is accepted by the masses, not just imposed on them. The masses agree to submit to such power, considering it fair, authoritative, and the existing order is the best for the country. Of course, in society there are always citizens who violate the laws, who do not agree with a given political course, who do not support the authorities. The legitimacy of power means that it is supported by the majority, that the laws are implemented by the main part of society. Legitimacy should not be confused with the concept that also exists in political science legality authorities. The legality of power - its legal justification, its legality, compliance with existing in the state legal regulations. Legitimacy, unlike legality, is not a legal fact, but a socio-psychological phenomenon. Any government that makes laws, even unpopular ones, but ensures their implementation, is legal. At the same time, it may be illegitimate, not recognized by the people. In society, there may also be illegal power, for example, the mafia, which, in principle, can also be perceived by the people (or part of it) as legitimate or illegitimate.
Legitimacy is the trust and acceptance of power by the public consciousness, the justification of its actions, because it is associated with a moral assessment. Citizens approve the government based on their moral criteria, ideas about goodness, justice, decency, conscience. Legitimacy is designed to ensure obedience, consent without coercion, and if it is not achieved, then justify coercion, the use of force. Legitimate power and politics are authoritative and effective.
In order to win and retain legitimacy, the trust of the people, the government resorts to arguing its actions (legitimation), referring to the highest values (justice, truth), to history, feelings and emotions, moods, the real or fictitious will of the people, the dictates of the times, scientific and technical progress, the requirements of production, the historical tasks of the country, etc. Violence and repression are often justified by dividing people into “us” and “them”.
Principles of legitimacy (belief) may have their origins in ancient traditions, revolutionary charisma, or current legislation. The relevant typology of legitimacy, which is widely accepted, is introduced by Max Weber. According to her, the three types of legitimacy correspond to the three sources of legitimacy of political power: tradition, charisma and rational-legal basis. Weber emphasized that we are not talking about assigning any real regime to any of the types, but about abstractions (the so-called " ideal types”), in specific political systems combined in one proportion or another.
Depending on which of the listed motives for supporting the political normative order by the population prevails in society, it is customary to distinguish the following types of legitimacy: traditional, charismatic, and rational.
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Synonyms:LEGITIMACY legitimacy of the regime, politicians and leaders, reflecting the qualities that stem not from formal laws and decrees, but from social harmony and their acceptance as legitimate, that is, corresponding to the value norms with ... ... Philosophical Encyclopedia
- (legitimacy) Consists in the fact that the procedure applied by a particular system of government for creating and enforcing laws is acceptable to its citizens. The term is taken from Weberian sociology. As Weber emphasized, ... ... Political science. Dictionary.
- (from lat. legitimus legal). Legality. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov AN, 1910. LEGITIMACY legality, law. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Pavlenkov F., 1907 ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
Competence, legality, legitimacy Dictionary of Russian synonyms. legitimacy legitimacy Dictionary of Russian synonyms. Context 5.0 Informatics. 2012 ... Synonym dictionary
legitimacy- and, well. legitim adj. The property is legitimate; legitimacy. ALS 1. And in general, the barbarians, the young peoples of Europe, who were at enmity with Rome, and then with the New Rome, did not even think to deny their only legitimacy in the world. S. S. Averintsev Byzantium and Russia: ... ... Historical Dictionary of Gallicisms of the Russian Language
legitimacy- Legitimacy ♦ Legitimité A concept that lies on the boundary between law and morality, on the one hand, and law and politics, on the other. Legitimacy is that which is in its own right, from which it follows that the right is not always legitimate. Legitimacy is compliance ... ... Philosophical Dictionary of Sponville
- (from lat. legitimus agreeing with the laws, legal, lawful) political and legal concept, meaning positive attitude residents of the country large groups, public opinion (including foreign) to those acting in a particular state ... ... Law Dictionary
Eligibility of an elected body or elected person. Dictionary of business terms. Akademik.ru. 2001 ... Glossary of business terms
- (lat. legitimus legal) in a broad sense, recognition, explanation and justification social order, actions, actor or events. In jurisprudence, it is opposed to legality (legality proper) as having not legal, but ... ... The latest philosophical dictionary
LEGITIMATE, oh, oh (special). Recognized by law, in accordance with the law. Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova. 1949 1992 ... Explanatory dictionary of Ozhegov
If we look into the depths of history, we will notice that it is full of cases when a group of people overthrows the current government and begins to rule the state, such power was rejected by the people and could not be considered legitimate because the people did not elect it and, accordingly, cannot trust it.
Subsequent laws, decisions and treaties are usually called illegitimate.
We won’t go far for an example, but let’s turn our inquisitive gaze to our neighbor Ukraine. In this country, a coup d’état initiated by Western intelligence services, namely German and American ones, took place. After a bunch of people seized power, which everyone began to call the Junta. All its decisions are not considered legitimate, in fact, like the government itself.
