Identify three ways in which legitimacy is obtained in a representative democracy - Edexcel - A-Level Politics - Question 1 - 2017 - Paper 1

Elections: Legitimacy in a representative democracy is fundamentally obtained through elections at local, national, and European levels. Elections allow citizens to choose their representatives, thereby granting the elected officials the authority to act on their behalf.

Referendums: Another means of obtaining legitimacy is through referendums, where citizens vote directly on specific issues or policies. This process reinforces the sense of democratic engagement and can give the government a clear mandate on particular choices made by the electorate.

Legislative Approval: Governments also secure legitimacy by obtaining votes in the legislature for particular actions or pieces of legislation. This not only reflects a representative body’s support but also ensures that the actions taken align with the democratic values of accountability and representation.