Délégitimé

Délégitimé is a French adjective meaning "delegitimised" or "deprived of legitimacy." The term derives from the Latin root legitimus, which conveys lawful or legitimate status, and the French prefix délè-, indicating removal or negation. In contemporary usage, délégitimé describes individuals, institutions, governments, or movements that have lost recognition as legitimate actors by a relevant audience, often due to perceived violations of norms, corruption, or failure to meet expectations.

In political science, délégitimé is frequently applied to regimes or political actors whose authority is contested or whose actions erode public trust. Scholars analyse delegitimisation processes through breaches of democratic norms, misuse of power, or failure to respond to crises, citing examples such as authoritarian governments that collapse after popular protests or corporations that lose consumer confidence following scandals. In international relations, the concept can frame the legitimacy of state actions under international law, with states labelled délégitimé when they violate treaties or engage in human‑rights abuses. In sociology, the term may describe groups that lose recognition in social hierarchies, diminishing their power and influence within a community.

The concept intersects with related terms such as "legitimacy," "despoliation," and "delegitimation." Its application is wide-ranging, from legal contexts where courts consider a party's legitimacy to contest a claim, to media discourse where actors are criticised as délégitimé actors. Understanding délégitimé provides insight into how authority is constructed, contested, and transformed within societies.