Topic: Legitimacy of Government during Popular Uprising
Country: South Africa
Delegate Name: Emma Holcomb
School: Royal Oak High School
Topic page: background guide and all position papers All South Africa position papers GLIMUN 2011 committees
During this time of turmoil and change throughout the world, the legitimacy of a government during a popular uprising has become an issue of importance. The Republic of South Africa views this issue on several different levels. As a committee, we must first define legitimacy, and then determine in what situations a government’s legitimacy may be called into question by a popular uprising.
There is no one factor that makes a government legitimate or not. Previous definitions of legitimacy do not always take popular sovereignty or international recognition into account. In practice, popular sovereignty, international recognition, and effectiveness are some of the most important factors in determining a government’s legitimacy. If the people of a nation do not find their own government legitimate, it could severely impact the effectiveness of the government and its standing in the international community.
Legitimacy is not easily defined. In any definition of legitimacy, popular sovereignty should be emphasized. Through fair elections, popular sovereignty can be guaranteed. Additionally, international recognition is important. When the international community as a whole refuses to recognize a government, internal legitimacy issues are likely.
How do we create legitimate governments out of those deemed illegitimate? If the government’s legitimacy is threatened because it is not effective, assisting the government in this respect of the upmost importance. Support from other nations in the region, which may have experienced similar issues, or from regional bodies should be available to these nations if necessary. When popular sovereignty becomes an issue, it can be addressed through similar means. Simply ousting the government is almost always disastrous. South Africa has found that one of the most effective means of increasing legitimacy is through democratic elections. The focus of this debate should not be placed on ending illegitimate governments, but assisting them in a constructive way to meet the needs of the nation’s people through dialog and cooperation.
Popular uprisings do not automatically invalidate the legitimacy of a government. When solutions can be found that are acceptable to both the people and the government, legitimacy is only reinforced. When governments begin to commit international crimes in order to quell an uprising, however, legitimacy definitely comes into question. Dialog with other nations, particularly those in the region, should be encouraged in such cases. Through this, the government may find an effective end to violence and return to legitimacy.
When it is found that the current government is no longer legitimate and must be changed drastically, it is necessary that there is an international standard for nations to reference. Peaceful, democratic transition, not the total ousting of the previous government through violence, has been found to be, in the long term, one of the most effective forms of government transition. When this is not possible, a transitional government may be established. South Africa would like to see this emphasized in any resolution passed.
International sovereignty becomes an issue here. Who is the international community to decide whether or not one government is legitimate? Should the government not decide for itself? Of course, when a nation approaches the regional or international community for help with legitimacy, assistance should be provided. In other situations, however, when a government will not attempt to make itself more legitimate, there must be standards in place as to when it is appropriate for the international community to step in. When atrocities such as crimes against humanity are being committed, the nation’s region and the world has a responsibility to end them and reestablish legitimacy- an issue that we will debate further through our other topic. In other situations, such as popular sovereignty and effectiveness, it is first the responsibility of the region and regional bodies to help solve the issues, through constructive dialog, and secondly the responsibility of the international community and international bodies. It is necessary that we first look to regional solutions. What works in one region often does not work in another, and the region itself will best know how to address the issue at hand in the context of that nation. Through dialog and diplomacy, we can also respect the sovereignty of nations whose governments are struggling with legitimacy.
The legitimacy of any government, during popular uprising or not, needs to be defined. Through that definition, we can begin to find ways to assist nations struggling with the legitimacy of their governments. South Africa hopes to see a conclusion to debate that emphasizes the importance of dialog and regaining legitimacy.
