Explaining elite perceptions of legitimacy in global governance

Elites are central in creating, operating, defending and contesting international organisations (IOs), but little research is available about their attitudes toward these bodies. To address this gap, article offers the first systematic comparative analysis of elite perceptions IO legitimacy. Building on a unique multi-country multi-sector survey 860 elites undertaken 2017–19, we map explain legitimacy beliefs three key IOs different issue-areas: International Monetary Fund (IMF), United Nations Framework Convention Climate Change (UNFCCC) Security Council (UNSC). Integrating public opinion relations theory, advances an explanation elites’ that emphasises satisfaction with institutional qualities IOs. We contrast argument common alternative explanations, which respectively highlight utilitarian calculation, global orientation domestic cues. The analyses show most consistently related to beliefs: when more satisfied democracy, effectiveness fairness IOs, they also regard as legitimate. These findings suggest prevailing debate between cues approaches neglects importance