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Difficulty: MediumLegitimacy: Meaning, Determinants, and Maintenance

A political system achieves voluntary compliance and allegiance primarily when citizens accept its fundamental right to govern. Which of the following mechanisms is most vital for maintaining this political legitimacy in a democratic state?

  1. A
    Deploying military force to compel obedience and suppress civil opposition
  2. B
    Centralizing all administrative and legislative powers within an un-elected council
  3. Upholding the rule of law, protecting basic rights, and conducting regular free electionsAnswer
  4. D
    Enforcing strict ideological conformity through state-dominated media channels

Answer

Upholding the rule of law, protecting basic rights, and conducting regular free elections
Political legitimacy is sustained in democratic governance through legal-rational processes, good governance, protection of fundamental human rights, and regular, credible elections that grant the government popular consent.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Define political legitimacy
Legitimacy refers to the lawful right to govern and the popular recognition/acceptance of that authority by the citizens.
Understanding the definition helps distinguish consent-based governance from coercive control.
2
Identify key determinants and maintenance factors for democratic legitimacy
Democratic legitimacy relies on constitutional governance, accountability, protection of human rights, and periodic transparent elections.
Citizens voluntarily support a state when government operations align with legal-rational rules and respect democratic norms.
3
Evaluate options against maintenance mechanisms
Upholding the rule of law and conducting free elections directly sustains citizen confidence and constitutional right to rule.
Alternative options rely on state coercion or autocratic consolidation, which erode legitimacy rather than maintain it.

Key Concept

Legitimacy: Determinants and Maintenance Mechanisms
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Topics

Legitimacy: Meaning, Determinants, and Maintenance

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