legalnost

Legalnost is a term used in some legal and political theory discussions to describe the quality or state of being in accordance with law within a given jurisdiction. It emphasizes the formal, codified dimension of law—the existence of statutes, regulations, and enforceable procedures.

The word is a blend of legal and the suffix nost, evocative of words in some Slavic languages that denote a state or quality. In practice, legalnost is not a fixed doctrine but a spectrum used to discuss how closely a system adheres to its written rules.

Scholars distinguish several facets: normative legality (conformity with enacted rules), procedural legality (due process and reasonable administration), and institutional legality (independence of the judiciary, transparency of enforcement). High legalnost implies predictable rules and accessible remedies, regardless of whether outcomes feel just.

Legalnost can diverge from legitimacy or justice. A government might display high legalnost through formal rules and coercive enforcement while lacking public trust or moral authority. Conversely, a political order might enjoy broad legitimacy yet exhibit gaps in formal compliance or weak rulemaking.

Indicators and debates include rule-of-law indices, constitutional design, civil-service professionalism, and impartial courts. Critics warn that focusing on legalnost alone risks neglecting substantive fairness, accountability, and power imbalances that laws are supposed to regulate.

See also: legality; legitimacy; rule of law; due process; formalism.