Is Political Legitimacy Compatible with Structural Domination?

Author(s)	Mr. Bhagwat Mani Tripathi
Country	India
Abstract	This essay examines whether political legitimacy can coexist with structural dominations in modern democratic states. It critiques liberal theories like those of Weber and Rawls for overlooking how economic, social, and administrative inequalities undermine consent, public justification, and non-arbitrariness. Core Argument Structural domination, drawn from Marxist, Foucauldian, and Republican perspectives, persists without direct coercion yet distorts democratic procedures and citizens’ freedom. Liberal accounts treat this as mere distributive injustice, but the essay argues it erodes legitimacy itself, as political power relies on these flawed structures. Proposed Solution Legitimacy should be reconceived as graded, procedural, structural, and dynamic, incorporating safeguards against arbitrary power while allowing ongoing critique and reform. This bridges analytic liberalism with continental critiques, viewing legitimacy as an evolving task rather than a static ideal.
Keywords	Political Legitimacy, structural domination, liberal accounts, graded legitimacy, critiques
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 6, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On	2025-12-31
DOI	https://doi.org/10.63363/aijfr.2025.v06i06.2802
Short DOI	https://doi.org/hbhk3q

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