Legitimacy and the Foundations of Legitimate Government

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Legitimacy and the Foundations of Legitimate Government

In this paper, it is my intention to discuss the issue of legitimacy as it relates to government. I will explore what a legitimate government necessarily consists of; that is, I will attempt to formulate a number of conditions a government must meet in order to be considered legitimate.

A logical starting point in an investigation of legitimate government would seem to be an account of the original purpose of government. Problems arise, though, in discovering this original purpose; any and all attempts seem to consist of mere speculation. Government is a social convention created by man.* It is doubtful whether or not there can ever be an empirically accurate account of the creation of government. Without this crucial information, a search for the original purpose of government appears futile. I had once thought that an account of human nature may provide insight into this enigma; I now believe that it is equally doubtful that there can be a true account of human nature. So where does this leave the political theorist?

There appear to be two options. The first of these options is to abandon all hope of ever having a foundational theory of legitimate government. It is better to throw in the towel than to give in to speculation. This suggests that the political theorist can only make use of existing governments, constitutions, decrees, actions, and the such to investigate legitimate government. To look outside of these would lead to nothing but speculation. Even this, though, seems to be an unacceptable route. The political theorist would be reduced to nothing more than a historian of governments past and present. In addition, the theorist would have to embrace the assump...

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...; this means accepting the punishment for breaking a law. Critical citizenship is a challenge to everyone who does not participate, yet complains about how unjust and unfair the government is. Critical citizenship encourages individuals to participate in politics. Critical citizenship is a call for individuals to make a difference.

Bibliography

Barry, Brian. "Is Democracy Special?" in Philosophy, Politics, & Society, 5th Series, ed. Peter Laslett & James Fishkin. Hew Haven: Yale University Press, 1979.

Locke, John. Second Treatise of Government. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1980.

Nathanson, Stephen. Should We Consent To Be Governed? Bellmont: Wadsworth Publishing, 1992.

Simmons, A. John. Moral Principles & Political Obligations. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1979.

Wolff, Robert. In Defense of Anarchism. New York: Harper & Row, 1970.

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