Wtat is legitimate government? Outline any four features of legitimacy? What is simple majority sysyem? Outline four demeits of the system
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CHARACTERISTICS OF LEGITIMACY:-
1)Legitimacy is evaluative in character- Evaluation is a continuous affair. People evaluate the legitimacy at every level. To evaluate is to draw conclusions. People evaluate the regime (govt) whether it is committed for the welfare of the people or whether it is genuinely working for them…
2)It is value-pattern based- Legitimacy has a very close relationship with the value-pattern of the society. If the values of the political regime and that of the people are identical, then there is no difficulty. But if the value-pattern of the people and the regime are at cross purposes with each other, then the regime (govt) loses its legitimacy.
3)Legitimacy has close relationship with effectiveness- Effectiveness means performance, Legitimacy has a high co-relation with the effectiveness also. If a system shows a high degree of effectiveness, people feel happy and contended. Thus, we find that legitimacy and effectiveness go hand in hand……..
A legitimate government can be defined as a recognized authority that holds power over a specific territory and is accepted as valid, just, and rightful by its citizens or subjects. It is considered to have the right to govern and make decisions on behalf of the people it represents.
Four features of legitimacy are:
1. Popular consent: A legitimate government is based on the consent of the governed. It derives its authority from the consent and support of the majority of the people through fair and free elections or other forms of participation.
2. Rule of law: A legitimate government operates within a framework of established laws that apply equally to all citizens. It ensures that laws are enforced impartially and fairly, fostering a sense of justice and equality among the people.
3. Accountability: A legitimate government is accountable to its citizens. It is transparent in its decision-making processes, responsive to the needs and concerns of the people, and subject to checks and balances to prevent abuse of power.
4. Stability and continuity: A legitimate government provides stability and continuity by maintaining order, protecting the rights of its citizens, and facilitating the functioning of institutions and services essential for the well-being of society.
Moving on to your second question, a simple majority system, also known as a first-past-the-post system, is a voting system in which a candidate or party needs to secure the most votes to win, regardless of whether they obtain an absolute majority (more than 50%). The candidate or party with the highest number of votes, even if it's just a plurality, wins the election. This system is commonly used in many countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
Four common criticisms or demerits of the simple majority system are:
1. Lack of proportionality: The system does not accurately reflect the proportion of votes received by each party or candidate. It can lead to outcomes where a party that secures a minority of the votes may still win a majority of seats, resulting in a distortion of the overall representation.
2. Wasted votes: In a simple majority system, votes cast for losing candidates or parties do not contribute to the final result, leading to a sense of wasted votes and a potential discouragement of voter turnout.
3. Limited choice: The system can sometimes reinforce a two-party or two-candidate dynamic, as smaller parties or independent candidates may face significant barriers to winning in a simple majority system. This limits the diversity of political representation.
4. Regional biases: The system can favor certain regions or specific geographic areas, making it difficult for parties with more dispersed support across the country or constituencies to gain representation. This can lead to a skewed distribution of power within a nation or state.