Sustaining Legitimacy
Lily Lee
6 min read
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Study Guide Overview
This study guide covers sustaining and losing legitimacy in comparative government. It examines sources of legitimacy (e.g., economic growth, political efficacy, charismatic leadership, rule of law) and factors that undermine legitimacy (e.g., corruption, lack of free elections, economic decline, social unrest). Examples from six course countries (Russia, UK, China, Mexico, Iran, Nigeria) illustrate these concepts. The guide also provides exam tips, practice questions (multiple-choice and free-response), and key terms to remember.
#AP Comparative Government: Sustaining and Losing Legitimacy 🚀
Hey! Let's dive into how governments keep their power and what makes them lose it. This is crucial for understanding how political systems work, and it's a big deal on the AP exam. Let's make sure you're ready to ace it!
#Unit 1: Sustaining Legitimacy
#Maintaining Legitimacy 💪
Legitimacy isn't a given; it's something governments have to work at. Think of it like keeping a plant alive—you need the right conditions! Here’s how they do it:
| Source of Legitimacy | How it maintains legitimacy (example!) |
|---|---|
| Strong Economic growth | When the economy is booming, people tend to be happier with the government. For example, Nigeria's 🇳🇬 oil boom in the 1970s boosted government support because people saw more jobs and money. 💰 |
| Political Efficacy | This is about people believing they can influence politics. In the UK 🇬🇧, many citizens feel they have a say, which gives the government more legitimacy. They feel like their voice matters! 🗣️ |
| Charismatic Leadership | Think of Putin in Russia 🇷🇺. His strong, nationalistic image and ability to project power makes people support him. It's about that personal connection and feeling like he's a strong leader. 💪😍 |
| Expansion of Rule of Law | This means everyone, even the government, is under the law. Mexico 🇲🇽 uses its constitution to ensure everyone is on the same level, reinforcing the rule of law and giving the government legitimacy. ⚖️ |
Legitimacy is not static; it must be actively maintained through various strategies.
#Unit 1:...
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