Nonlegitimacy

Nonlegitimacy is the absence or rejection of legitimacy in political authority and social institutions. It refers to a condition in which a ruler, government, regime, or rule is not accorded recognized rightful authority by the relevant audience or by prevailing legal-normative standards. The term is evaluative, used to describe perceptions or assessments rather than a fixed legal status.

Legitimacy is commonly understood as a combination of legality, consent, effectiveness, and normative justification (such as perceived fairness or justice). Nonlegitimacy arises when one or more of these dimensions are missing or contested: laws are not followed, the governed do not consent, the regime fails to deliver public goods or protect rights, or rules lack moral justification in the eyes of important audiences.

Contexts for nonlegitimacy include both domestic and international spheres. Within states, regimes that rely on coercion, lack broad popular support, or operate without broad recognition may be described as nonlegitimate. Internationally, recognition by other states is a key component of legitimacy, so governments or administrations lacking recognition can be considered nonlegitimate. Similar assessments can apply to organizational governance or other institutions where representation, accountability, or transparency is deemed inadequate.

Consequences can include political instability, sustained resistance, sanctions, or demands for reform. Responses may involve constitutional amendments, elections, power-sharing arrangements, or changes in leadership. Scholars assess nonlegitimacy through public opinion, analyses of compliance and performance, and the status of recognition and legitimacy beliefs across relevant actors.