legitimacy

Legitimacy refers to the perception that an authority, institution, or system is appropriate, valid, or accepted by the people it governs or influences. In a political context, a government is considered legitimate if its right to govern is recognized and upheld by its citizens, often because it adheres to laws, follows democratic processes, or reflects the will of the people. Likewise, legitimacy can apply to organizations, social norms, or cultural practices, where their roles and functions are regarded as justified and deserving of respect by the society they serve.