legitymizacj

Legitimization, or legitymizacja in Polish, refers to the process by which a state, government, institution, or other authority is recognized as rightful and appropriate by those who are governed and by the broader political community. Legitimacy is distinct from legality: something can be legally enacted yet lack public legitimacy, while a consensual sense of rightful authority can exist even with imperfect formal rules.

The concept has deep roots in political theory, notably in Max Weber's typology of legitimacy, which identifies traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal forms. In contemporary use, scholars distinguish input legitimacy (the legitimacy of the process by which decisions are produced, such as elections and deliberation) from output legitimacy (the perceived quality and effectiveness of policies). Some frameworks also separate procedural legitimacy from substantive or normative legitimacy, which rests on perceived justice, human rights, and welfare.

Legitimization occurs through multiple mechanisms. Legal frameworks, constitutional settlements, and recognition by other states contribute to legitimacy, as do elections, accountability, the rule of law, and stable governance performance. Cultural ideas, shared identity, and tradition can reinforce legitimacy, as can foreign recognition and economic success. Legitimacy is dynamic and contested: crises, corruption, or coercive practices can erode it, while reform, inclusion, and successful outcomes can restore or build it.

In practice, legitimacy shapes public compliance, cooperation, and political stability. It matters for democratic consolidation, the acceptance of authority in non-democratic regimes, and the resilience of institutions facing internal or external pressures.