'By far the best account of legitimacy available. This is a welcome new edition of the book that displaced the work of Max Weber to become the definitive treatment of a concept that stands at the centre of social life and politics everywhere.' - Bruce Gilley, Portland State University, USA 'No better analysis exists of the factors that combine to render power being seen as rightful. David Beetham, uniting the skills of social scientist and political philosopher, brings unusual clarity and depth to this ancient question. He has updated the examination of how different political systems answer it and, in two stimulating new chapters, further sharpens the analysis and applies it beyond and below the level of the state.' - Steven Lukes, New York University, USA