Political legitimacy is the belief by a population that a government or political institution has the right to rule and that its authority is rightful and justified, not just based on force.
High legitimacy means citizens voluntarily obey laws and support the government's actions because they accept its authority, leading to greater stability and effectiveness.
Legitimacy can be based on various foundations, such as public consent in a democracy or shared values, and is crucial for governance without constant coercion.