The big idea: International legitimacy is legitimacy in the eyes of the outside world — whether other states accept a government, or an action like a war, as rightful. It is the outside face of legitimacy.
A government can be accepted at home but not abroad, or the reverse. International legitimacy is about how the rest of the world sees you — and it is earned by following the rules and norms of global politics.
- Following international law and the norms other states accept.
- Acting through the UN — especially with UN Security Council authorisation.
- Recognition by other states and membership of international bodies.
Actions need legitimacy too: It is not just governments that need international legitimacy — actions do too. A war or intervention is far more widely accepted if it is UN-authorised and lawful; without that, it is seen as illegitimate, even if it is powerful.
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The clearest example is how the same kind of action can be legitimate or illegitimate depending on UN backing. Compare the two Iraq wars.
Case study — the 2003 Iraq war: In 1991 a US-led coalition drove Iraq out of Kuwait with clear UN Security Council authorisation — widely seen as legitimate. In 2003, the US and UK invaded Iraq without clear UN authorisation, and much of the world — and the UN — saw the war as lacking international legitimacy.
The 2003 war had power behind it, but not international legitimacy. That cost the US and UK support, damaged their standing, and made the whole effort harder — showing that legitimacy is a real asset, not a luxury.
The key point: International legitimacy comes from rules and recognition, above all UN authorisation. An action can be carried out by force without it — but it is then seen as illegitimate, which costs support and standing in the world.
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So how much does international legitimacy matter, and can the powerful just ignore it? Weigh both sides.
Link it up: International legitimacy is the outside face of legitimacy, earned through law and the UN. In an answer, show that even a powerful state can act without it — but pays a price in support, cooperation and standing.
How international legitimacy comes up in Paper 1: A Paper 1 source might show whether the wider world accepts a government or action. That is international legitimacy — acceptance by other states.
With reference to a source and one example you have studied, explain how an action can gain or lose international legitimacy.
Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Easy marks to lose: 1. Confusing international with domestic legitimacy. International = other states/the world.
2. Forgetting actions need legitimacy too. A war needs it, not just a government.
3. No real example. Use the 2003 vs 1991 Iraq wars.
4. Saying power makes legitimacy irrelevant. Acting without it still costs support.