Freedom corrupted? democratic legitimation in South Africa at democracy@30

Abstract

Democratic legitimacy is a multifaceted concept, contested in its definition and conceptualization (Severs & Mattelaer 2014; Zelditch 2001). Often seen as born in the work of Max Weber (Beetham 1991; Smith 1970; Wiesner & Harfst 2022), legitimacy is the foundation on which authority to hold power is constructed. Political legitimacy establishes both a moral and legal right to rule or govern, ensuring public acceptance and support for a particular regime, whether democratic or authoritarian (Lyotard & Lindsay 1987). There is a deep appreciation that without legitimacy, governments, whether democratic or autocratic, risk losing their authority, leading to instability, resistance or rebellion. Political legitimacy, however, remains a highly contested notion conceptually. It is also challenging to empirically measure democratic legitimacy. Democratic legitimacy involves subjective perceptions of fairness, representation and trust, which vary across individuals and societies (Spencer 1970; Tyler 2006). Additionally, political systems often have complex and evolving structures, making it difficult to define clear benchmarks for legitimacy (Severs & Mattelaer 2014; Wiesner & Harfst 2022). Legitimacy inherently deals with the relationship between citizens and governments, or citizens and their rulers (Severs & Mattelaer 2014).