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Difficulty: HardLegitimacy: Meaning, Determinants, and Maintenance

A democratically elected administration strictly adheres to statutory legislative procedures and constitutional guidelines, yet it consistently fails to address severe economic recession, rampant unemployment, and widespread public insecurity. Consequently, citizens begin widespread civil disobedience and withdraw their political allegiance. Which primary determinant of political legitimacy has been eroded in this state?

  1. Socio-economic performance and government responsiveness to popular needsAnswer
  2. B
    The legal-rational framework establishing constitutional authority
  3. C
    The coercive capacity of state machinery to command physical compliance
  4. D
    The traditional heritage supporting hereditary political leadership

Answer

Socio-economic performance and government responsiveness to popular needs
Political legitimacy is sustained not only by legal-rational procedures (how power is acquired and exercised legally) but also by government performance (what the government achieves for its citizens). When a government fails to provide basic security and economic stability, citizens lose trust and withdraw voluntary compliance, undermining the socio-economic performance determinant of legitimacy.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the political scenario given in the stem
Identified that procedural legality (legal-rational authority) is maintained, but output performance (economic stability and security) has failed.
Legitimacy depends on multiple determinants, including input processes (laws, elections) and output effectiveness (governance, welfare).
2
Evaluate the cause of citizen alienating and withdrawal of compliance
Citizens withdraw allegiance because the government fails to fulfill its fundamental obligation of public protection and economic provision.
Good performance and responsiveness build public trust, whereas persistent failure undermines citizens' moral obligation to obey laws.
3
Differentiate legitimacy from legal authority and physical power
Formal constitutional adherence (legal authority) and enforcement capacity (coercive power) cannot compensate for a total collapse in performance-based legitimacy.
Legitimacy is the voluntary acceptance of a government's right to rule, which requires performance beyond mere legal compliance.

Key Concept

Determinants and Maintenance of Political Legitimacy
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Legitimacy: Meaning, Determinants, and Maintenance

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