Operationalizing Legitimacy

Legitimacy is widely invoked as a condition, cause, and outcome of other social phenomena, yet measuring legitimacy persistent challenge. In this article, I synthesize existing approaches to conceptualizing across the sciences identify agreed upon definitional properties. then build on these points consensus develop generalizable approach operationalization. implies specific relationships among three empirical elements: an object legitimacy, audience that confers relationship between two. Together, elements constitute dyad (i.e., single unit consisting two nodes tie). necessary conditions for legitimacy— expectations, assent, conformity—that specify how interact. detail can be used empirically establish (and illegitimacy), distinguishing it from dissimilar phenomena often appear similar empirically. Followed its logical conclusion, operationalization has novel implications understanding effects legitimacy. discuss implications, they inform debates over relevance explanation socially significant outcomes.