legitimacy Flashcards
(15 cards)
does electoral democracy promote legitimacy according to democratic theory?
according to democratic theory, inequality is excusable if everyobe had a say in voting, when most democracy have age minimum standards for voting.This is supported by majority rule and the idea that elections give losers hope of future victories. However opinions change, in sweden most people were against driving on the right side of the road, until it changed and it was loved
what makes the exercise of political power legitimate?
Procedural fairness relies on impartiality, governments should apply policies without considering characteristics. People should be treated fairly based on the rules set in advance. This extends beyond legal decisions, to appointing low level officials for discretionary powers
4 ways governments gain legitimacy
tradition, charisma of leaders, the governments production of goods and services, belief in the fairness of mechanisms used to select leaders
How can governments become legitimate?
Governments can become legitimate by organising society in a way to benefit everyone, or by satisfying the interests of a powerful interest group or the majority of society. However, this creates a problem, as many groups (like consumers or the unemployed) struggle to advocate for their interests because they face barriers to collective action.
what is the view of legitimacy from elections?
people accept governments because the election was fair, and they think they may win next time
why did civil war outbreak in yugoslavia?
civil war is a sign of the failure of legitimacy, in croatia serbs didnt care they would be minority. only cared when treated as second class citizens, causing civil war
whats the causal logic of legitimacy?
legitimacy depends on outputs of government, less to do with elections, than the fair implementation of social policy. Government seen as corrupt loses legitimacy
what are examples of legitimacy challenges in Ireland?
Partition of Ireland and Northern Ireland conflict
Religious and ethnic tensions in Ireland
Irish peace process
The role of welfare state formation and class solidarity
The role of media in Legitimacy
emotional identification and nationalism
How did the partition of Ireland lead to legitimacy issues?
British conservative supported protestants in ulster, which lead to partition of Ireland.Northern Ireland was unionist controlled. Irish nationalist had limited access to resources, saw state as illegitimate
How did religious and ethnic tensions in NI, relate to legitimacy?
ethnic tensions in NI, showed the police only cared about unionists, lead to illegitimacy
How did irish peace process revive legitimacy?
in late 20th century, politicians stopped attacking
nationalist republicans and instead worked to recognise and include them through private and then public talks.
what was the role of the welfare state formation in legitimacy?
during 20t century, social policies were shaped by catholic social teaching and political compromises, their success or failure influenced legitimacy
how does cultural alignment relate to legitimacy?
the governments ability to change with changing social values effects its legitimacy eg abortion ban
How does media play a role in legitimacy?
Irish media has played role in upholding and challenging legitimacy, uncovering corrupt scandals, such as church abuse scandals, which affected trust in the state and religious institutions
how does nationalism relate to legitimacy?
nationalism was key in the legitimacy of the Irish state
