Defining Legitimacy

Legitimacy- an actor or an action being considered acceptable and justified, often based on conformity to agreed upon laws, norms, or principals.

• It is central to governance and political stability, as it determines whether power is recognized as rightful by people, states, or institutions, Social contract.

Legitimacy and sovereignty are closely linked

Internal sovereignty- Directly correlates with how legitimate a state is in the eyes of its citizenry and international community

External Sovereignty - Coincides with international legitimacy determined by recognition and respect from other states and IGOS.