External Actors & Stakeholders Threatening State Legitimacy (DP IB Global Politics: SL): Revision Note

External interference and state legitimacy

• External actors can interfere with a state’s right to self-govern, limiting its ability to make independent decisions

• This can reduce state legitimacy if citizens perceive that their government is controlled, influenced or unable to act in their interests

• However, the extent to which legitimacy is affected varies depending on the nature of the interference and the strength of the state

External factors causing political, economic and social instability

• In our increasingly globalised world, external actors can and do influence the political, economic and social stability of the state

Other states

• State actors can contribute to political instability by interfering in another country’s political processes

• One way this can happen is through disinformation campaigns on social media, which attempt to influence elections and public opinion

  • E.g. According to the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Russia organised a social media disinformation campaign during the 2016 US presidential election

    • The campaign aimed to damage Hillary Clinton’s reputation and support Donald Trump, which led many people to question the legitimacy of the election result

• This can undermine legitimacy if citizens believe elections or political outcomes are being manipulated by foreign powers

Transnational corporations (TNCs)

• Transnational corporations are large companies that operate and manage production or services in several different countries

  • They can affect the economic and political stability of a state

• On the positive side, they can create jobs, investment and economic growth, which may strengthen the legitimacy of governments

  • However, problems can occur if corporations break laws, damage the environment or use corruption, especially in weaker states

• If governments fail to regulate TNCs effectively, they may be seen as weak or complicit, reducing public trust

Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs)

• Joining an intergovernmental organisation can bring potential economic and political benefits, such as financial support, trade access or cooperation with other states

  • However, the rules and conditions imposed by these organisations may cause social or political unrest if citizens view them as unfair

  • E.g., during the Greek financial crisis (2008–2015), organisations including the European Union and the International Monetary Fund required Greece to introduce austerity measures in return for financial support

  • These policies led to large protests and social unrest, as many citizens believed the measures were harmful and illegitimate

• This can weaken legitimacy if governments are perceived as implementing externally imposed policies rather than acting in the interests of their citizens

External actors using violence and force

• Failure to maintain security can significantly reduce legitimacy, as the state is no longer seen as capable of protecting its population

  • The use of violence and force by external actors can be devastating for state legitimacy because it undermines the authority and capability of the state

• External actors include

  • Other states

  • Violent non-state actors, such as resistance groups or drug traffickers

  • IGOs supporting humanitarian intervention 

  • Individuals with links to terrorist groups

• External actors using violence and force impact the social, political and economic stability of the state. 

  • If the state government or agencies are unable to protect citizens from violence or force, there is a good chance that their approval of that government will reduce