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Delegitimate vs. Legitimate — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 5, 2024
Delegitimate refers to actions or processes that deny legitimacy or validity, while legitimate means being authorized, justified, or in accordance with established rules.
Delegitimate vs. Legitimate — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Delegitimate and Legitimate

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Key Differences

Delegitimate involves questioning or removing the recognized legitimacy or authority of a system, institution, or law. On the other hand, legitimate refers to something that is accepted as right or proper within legal or moral frameworks.
A delegitimated government, for example, is seen as not having the lawful or moral right to govern, often due to corrupt practices or undemocratic processes. Whereas, a legitimate government is recognized as rightful and just, operating under the law and generally accepted ethical standards.
In legal contexts, delegitimate actions can refer to efforts to invalidate laws or regulations that are perceived as unjust or unethical. Conversely, legitimate laws are those that have been passed through proper legislative procedures and are compliant with higher laws.
Social movements may seek to delegitimate established norms or practices that are seen as discriminatory or outdated, pushing for societal change. Legitimate social movements, however, are widely recognized and operate within the bounds of law and societal norms.
While delegitimating can often carry a negative connotation, highlighting opposition and rejection, legitimating is generally viewed positively, emphasizing validation and acceptance.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Removing or denying recognized legitimacy or authority
Recognized as valid, authorized, or justified

Usage in Governance

Seen in contexts where governance is not accepted
Used when governance is accepted and justified

Legal Connotation

Often associated with actions challenging legality
Associated with lawfulness and adherence to rules

Social Context

Used to describe opposition to established norms
Pertains to accepted norms and practices

Overall Implication

Negative, suggesting invalidation
Positive, suggesting validation and acceptance

Compare with Definitions

Delegitimate

Refusing to acknowledge as valid or proper.
The community actions delegitimated the previously accepted norms.

Legitimate

Authorized or sanctioned by law or established rules.
The election process was deemed legitimate by international observers.

Delegitimate

To challenge the legal or moral acceptance of something.
The campaign aimed to delegitimate the authority of the corrupt officials.

Legitimate

Conforming to the law or to rules.
Her claim to the property was found to be legitimate.

Delegitimate

To render something unjustified or unauthorized.
The new evidence could delegitimate the initial findings.

Legitimate

Justifiable; reasonable.
His complaints about the service were legitimate.

Delegitimate

To withdraw or deny legitimacy or validity.
Activists sought to delegitimate the outdated policy.

Legitimate

Being exactly as purposed, not counterfeit or altered.
The document was proven to be legitimate and unaltered.

Delegitimate

Making something not recognized or accepted as valid.
The court's decision helped to delegitimate the discriminatory law.

Legitimate

Born of parents lawfully married to each other.
The legitimate heir to the throne was recognized by the court.

Delegitimate

(transitive) To cause (something) not to be legitimate; to make illegitimate, to illegitimize.

Legitimate

Conforming to the law or to rules
His claims to legitimate authority

Legitimate

Able to be defended with logic or justification; valid
A legitimate excuse for being late

Legitimate

Constituting or relating to serious drama as distinct from musical comedy, revue, etc.
The legitimate theatre

Legitimate

Make lawful or justify
The regime was not legitimated by popular support

Legitimate

Being in compliance with the law; lawful
A legitimate business.

Legitimate

Being in accordance with established or accepted rules and standards
Legitimate advertising practices.

Legitimate

Valid or justifiable
A legitimate complaint.

Legitimate

Based on logical reasoning
A legitimate deduction.

Legitimate

Born of legally married parents
Legitimate offspring.

Legitimate

Of, relating to, or ruling by hereditary right
A legitimate monarch.

Legitimate

Of or relating to drama of high professional quality that excludes burlesque, vaudeville, and some forms of musical comedy
The legitimate theater.

Legitimate

To legitimize.

Legitimate

In accordance with the law or established legal forms and requirements.

Legitimate

Conforming to known principles, or established or accepted rules or standards; valid.
Legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard or method

Legitimate

Authentic, real, genuine.
Legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions

Legitimate

Lawfully begotten, i.e., born to a legally married couple.

Legitimate

Relating to hereditary rights.

Legitimate

Belonging or relating to the legitimate theater.

Legitimate

A person born to a legally married couple.

Legitimate

(transitive) To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; especially, to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means.

Legitimate

Accordant with law or with established legal forms and requirements; lawful; as, legitimate government; legitimate rights; the legitimate succession to the throne; a legitimate proceeding of an officer; a legitimate heir.

Legitimate

Lawfully begotten; born in wedlock.

Legitimate

Authorized; real; genuine; not false, counterfe`t, or spurious; as,$legitimate poems of Chaucer; legitimate inscriptions.

Legitimate

Conforming to known principles, or accepted rules; as, legitimate reasoning; a legitimate standard, or method; a legitimate combination of colors.
Tillotson still keeps his place as a legitimate English classic.

Legitimate

Following by logical sequence; reasonable; as, a legitimate result; a legitimate inference.

Legitimate

To make legitimate, lawful, or valid; esp., to put in the position or state of a legitimate person before the law, by legal means; as, to legitimate a bastard child.
To enact a statute of that which he dares not seem to approve, even to legitimate vice.

Legitimate

Make legal;
Marijuana should be legalized

Legitimate

Show or affirm to be just and legitimate

Legitimate

Make (an illegitimate child) legitimate; declare the legitimacy of (someone);
They legitimized their natural child

Legitimate

Of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful

Legitimate

In accordance with reason or logic;
A logical conclusion

Legitimate

In accordance with recognized or accepted standards or principles;
Legitimate advertising practices

Legitimate

Authorized, sanctioned by, or in accordance with law;
A legitimate government

Common Curiosities

Can a process or institution be both legitimate and delegitimated?

Generally, an institution or process cannot be both simultaneously; it is either recognized as legitimate or subject to delegitimation.

What does it mean to delegitimate an action or policy?

To delegitimate an action or policy means to deny or remove its legitimacy, often suggesting that it is not justifiable or authorized.

How does one establish something as legitimate?

Establishing legitimacy typically involves adherence to legal frameworks, ethical standards, and social acceptance.

What are the effects of delegitimating a government?

Delegitimating a government can lead to loss of public trust, challenges to authority, and potential instability.

Why is legitimacy important in international relations?

Legitimacy in international relations ensures that governments and actions are recognized and respected by other nations, facilitating cooperation and stability.

What criteria are used to determine if a law is legitimate?

A law is considered legitimate if it is passed through proper legislative procedures, complies with higher laws, and generally accepted moral principles.

What role do ethics play in legitimating a policy?

Ethics play a crucial role in legitimating a policy by ensuring that it is morally justifiable and socially responsible.

How do social movements use delegitimation?

Social movements use delegitimation to challenge and change societal norms that they view as oppressive or outdated.

Is delegitimation always a negative process?

While often viewed negatively, delegitimation can be a force for positive change by challenging unjust or unethical practices.

What can lead to the delegitimation of a leader or government?

Factors such as corruption, abuse of power, or failure to adhere to democratic principles can lead to the delegitimation of a leader or government.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj Arif
Urooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.

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