Légitimer

Légitimer is a French verb that translates to legitimize in English. It describes the process of making something legal, valid, or accepted by a higher authority or by society. This can apply to various contexts, including political, social, and legal domains.

In a political sense, legitimizing can refer to the act of a government or ruling body gaining the consent and support of the people it governs. This can be achieved through elections, adherence to constitutional principles, or by demonstrating effectiveness in governance. Conversely, a regime or action might be seen as lacking legitimacy if it is perceived as unjust, oppressive, or imposed without popular consent.

Socially, legitimizing an idea or practice means making it widely accepted and considered normal or appropriate within a community or culture. This can occur over time as societal values evolve or through deliberate efforts to promote acceptance. For instance, certain social movements work to legitimize previously marginalized groups or ideas.

In legal terms, legitimizing refers to the formal recognition of something as lawful. This could involve passing legislation to legalize a previously prohibited activity, or a court ruling that upholds the validity of a contract or claim. A child born outside of marriage might be legitimized through subsequent marriage of the parents or through specific legal procedures, conferring upon them the same rights as a child born within marriage. The core concept is the establishment of rightful authority or acceptance.