(This is an archived page, from the Patterns of Power Edition 3 book. Current versions are at book contents).
There are various ways of assessing political legitimacy. The following sub-sections step through the subject:
· Political legitimacy is necessary and important (6.3.5.1).
· Different authors have proposed criteria for assessing it (6.3.5.2).
· An explanation is offered for how David Beetham's three-layer assessment model relates to this book (6.3.5.3).
· Beetham’s third layer of assessment, evidence of public assent, is explored in relation to different political systems (6.3.5.4).