PAD 120: INTRODUCTION TO POLITICAL SCIENCE

Selected Past Examination Questions and Suggested Answers

Here are some selected past examination questions and suggested (specimen) answers for them. Read them carefully and try to master the art and technique of answering exam questions.

1. Define Legitimacy

Legitimacy may be defined as the acceptance of a governing regime (government) as an authority. In other words, the legal right to rule a country is called legitimacy. A legitimate system of government is one which is based on authority. It means that those subject to its rule recognize its right to make collective decisions and implement laws, policies, and procedures.

Legitimacy may also be defined as the extent to which the citizens obey, without questioning, the laws and accept the policies, procedures, acts, decisions, officials, and the leaders of the government and the system, structure, and manner of administering the government. In other words, the widespread belief and feeling among the majority of the population of a country that the government's rule is rightful or legal is known as legitimacy. It must be noted that legitimacy is judged in the court of public opinion, not in a court of law.

Carlton C. Rodee defines legitimacy as "the extent to which citizens regard the State, its institutions, its leaders or policies and programmes as morally right or acceptable."

2. Explain the Term Legitimacy

Legitimacy is whether or not people accept the validity or authority of a ruling government. A government that is based on the "consent of the governed" is considered "legitimate." In other words, if the majority of the citizens of a country obey the laws of the State; accept the decisions, policies, and programmes of government leaders; accept the institutions of the government as legal; and believe that the government has authority and that it properly should have the authority, then the government is regarded as legitimate. ("Legitimate" means lawful, legal, proper.)

Legitimacy has to do with rights: whether a government has the legal right to rule; whether the leader has been duly installed; whether correct procedures have been followed in enacting a law. Legitimacy is also considered as the relationship between the rulers and the ruled (governed): the citizens of a country authorize and submit themselves to the law in return for protections and benefits from the State.

A government is legitimate if it obeys the laws it makes and when its authority is widely accepted. To be legitimate, the government must be supported by the majority of citizens. The government must be clean and honest, free from corruption, and govern the country according to constitutional principles. If a government lacks legitimacy, its stability and effectiveness might suffer; massive civil disobedience and violent protests and demonstrations may happen and it may also collapse. Examples of governments that collapsed on account of lack of legitimacy include the government of the Shah of Iran in 1979; the government under the rule of President Marcos in the Philippines; the government under the rule of President Ceausescu in Romania; the government under the rule of President Alberto Fujimori in Peru; and the government under President Suharto in Indonesia.

3. How Does a Government Achieve Legitimacy?

There are many ways by which the people's loyalty may be bound to a government so that it is generally considered legitimate:

1. Provision of Essential Services: A government may gain and retain its legitimacy by providing for its people the things they most want: internal security; security from external aggression; economic prosperity and development; high employment; equal justice; protection of minority rights; sound policies; and good governance. Failure to provide these will lead to loss of legitimacy.
2. Longevity: Long-established regimes are generally well-respected. People become accustomed to obeying the laws of such governments, leading to habitual recognition of legitimacy unless a major crisis arises.
3. Historic Role or Identity: Governments may enhance their legitimacy through past accomplishments, historic roles, or religious and ethnic ties. For instance, the Congress Party in India gained legitimacy for its role in independence.
4. Democratic Structures: If people feel fairly represented in the government and have a say in policy formation, they are more likely to perceive it as legitimate. Competitive elections and democratic practices bolster this legitimacy.
5. National Symbols: Governments use national symbols such as flags, monuments, and national day celebrations to foster unity and legitimacy.