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  1. AP Comparative Government
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Political Legitimacy

William Gray

William Gray

4 min read

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Study Guide Overview

This study guide covers political legitimacy, focusing on what it is and its sources. It examines how different countries, including the UK, Russia, China, Iran, Mexico, and Nigeria, derive legitimacy. Common sources of legitimacy like tradition, revolution, economic growth, religion, and constitutions are also explored.

#AP Comparative Government: Political Legitimacy - Your Night-Before Guide 🚀

Hey! Let's make sure you're totally prepped for the AP Comparative Government exam. This guide is designed to be your last-minute, high-impact review. We'll break down political legitimacy, its sources, and how governments maintain it. Let's get started!

#What is Political Legitimacy? 🤔

Key Concept

Political legitimacy is the belief held by a population that their government has the right to wield power. It's not just about having power, but having the right to use it. This applies to both democracies and authoritarian regimes.

Think of it like this: if people believe in their government, they're more likely to follow its rules. If they don't, well, things can get unstable!

#Sources of Legitimacy: Where Does it Come From? 🌍

Legitimacy isn't just given; it's earned (or at least, that's the idea). Here are the main sources, and how they apply to our core countries:

#Country-Specific Sources

  • The UK 🇬🇧: Tradition and stability. Think of the phrase "Keep Calm and Carry On." It's all about that historical continuity.
  • Russia 🇷🇺: Tradition and nationalism. There's a strong sense of national pride and historical legacy, especially regarding Russia's role as a major power.
  • China 🇨🇳: Revolution and economic growth. The legacy of Mao and the incredible economic growth of recent decades are key.
  • Iran 🇮🇷: Revolution and religion. The 1979 revolution and the traditions of Shia Islam are central to their legitimacy.
  • Mexico 🇲🇽: Revolution and constitution. The Mexican Revolution and the resulting constitution are sources of national pride.
  • Nigeria 🇳🇬: Independence and constitution. Their independence from British rule and the 1999 constitution are crucial.

#Common Sources of Legitimacy

Let's dive into the common sources of legitimacy with examples:

| Source of Legitimacy | Importance + Example | | :----------------------- | :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

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Question 1 of 7

Political legitimacy is best defined as the population's belief that their government has the...

ability to control the military

right to wield power

strongest economic system

most efficient bureaucracy