The Question of Legitimacy: Elites and Political Support in Russia

Abstract

institutions in politics, economy and goverance, while others survived more or less intact from the former regime. For the first time the elite could openly express critical attitudes towards institutions and their leaders, the main characteristic of the democratic process. The dilemma is that stable democracy also requires a certain level of support for institutions and their leadership. Acceptance of institutions by both the elite and the masses helps to prevent disruptive conflicts and instability. Stable institutions are a prerequisite for democracy and they acquire legitimacy only through support. Support may be 'diffuse' and related to the value of the institution as such, or it may take the form of more 'specific' support for the leaders of the institution in question. Most would agree that if democracy is to be stable, leaders and the masses must have a minimum level of confidence in institutions, and members of the elite must have a basic level of trust in each other and some interest in mass support. A change of regime away from authoritarian rule makes the question of legitimacy particularly crucial since 'democracy' presupposes backing for its main institutions. The purpose of this article is to find some evidence on how solid this foundation is in Russia among the elite and the mass.