ELECTIONS AS A WAY OF LEGITIMATING POLITICAL AUTHORITY IN CONDITIONS OF INSTABILITY

Abstract

The article examines the phenomenon of the legitimacy of political power, its signs and factors that can influence it. The election process as an element of political activity is considered in detail, the contribution of elections to democratic governance is analyzed. Examples of how elections work and how this affects the legitimation of power in unstable societies and the role of international actors in this process are presented, it is about elections as one of the most widespread systems of power legitimation. In today's world, many countries face various forms of political instability, such as mass protests, economic crises, wars and conflicts, corruption and political violence. In these conditions, elections become an important means of legitimizing political power, as they allow citizens to choose their representatives and determine the direction of the country's development. Elections are also a mechanism for changing power and developing democracy in the country. In addition, elections in conditions of instability can become the object of manipulation and abuse by political forces, which can undermine citizens' trust in the electoral process and the legitimacy of political power. Elections can be viewed as a struggle of ideologies, as a process of replacing structural elements, and as a communication process. Participation in elections can have a positive effect on voters' self-esteem and self-esteem, as well as satisfy their need for a sense of belonging to a political community. Regardless of the voting results, participation in elections is a manifestation of the human desire for personal fulfillment. Voting is a mechanism that allows the people to delegate their powers to elected officials who govern the country within the framework of their political agenda. In general, elections can be an effective way of legitimizing political power in conditions of instability, but only on the condition that they take place in accordance with the principles of democracy and transparency, and are not subject to manipulation by the interests of individual political groups.