Political Legitimacy in Australia

Abstract

Although modern political science has not been prolific in delineating theories of authority, all considerations of the state imply authority, which is the centralising focus of the political association. Authority exists "where power, the execution of right and the perpetuation of tradition are assured together in one coordinated agency". Authority is therefore inherently conservative, and sits uncomfortably in a postmodern world, as indeed does the state. Yet "execution of right" fulfils a prime human need, which is scarcely realisable in isolation from an organised political community, and which becomes the 'sin qua non' of a legitimate state organisation.