У статті розглянуто поняття легітимності як атрибута влади, розкрито її зміст, показано її роль та значимість для суб’єктів політичного процесу; виділені і обґрунтовані етапи зародження і генезису теорії легітимності. Визначені окремі аспекти легітимності і легітимізації у формуванні й функціонуванні політичних режимів в умовах транзиту. Виокремлені типи, моделі і концепції легітимності як складові її теорії, а також обґрунтовано трансформацію її змістових в умовах викликів Сучасності.
The article considers the concept of legitimacy as an attribute of power, reveals the content of legitimacy, shows its role and significance for the subjects of the political process, defines the stages of origin and genesis of legitimacy theory. It proves that power either on the state or local levels cannot be obtained for the sake of satisfaction from the feeling of one's temporary supremacy. Nevertheless, most interpretations of power reflect it as the vertical asymmetry of its participants’ dispositions, what implies the «ability» of the subject (operator of power) to use dominant positions. It appears necessary either for self-restoration of centralized hierarchical dependencies, or for achievement of certain goals. Therefore, the problem of legitimacy of government and political regime, including their safety, maintenance, preservation etc, is cause of concern for both. The problem of legitimacy of political regime is especially important for the countries of so-called «hybrid democracy». The analysis of works of native and foreign researchers was the basis to substantiate legitimacy theory. It is found out that the urgent task in transit countries is to increase the level of legitimacy of the political system and, accordingly, to legitimize regime change. Therefore, for transitional societies, legitimacy is a political characteristics leading to the formation of a new political system. In fact, the «hybridity» of the political regime complicates the process of its legitimation, because at the stage of transformation of the political regime the symbols of power, institutions, procedures and the very form of government change. Also the article gives the approaches to the definition and substantiation of legitimacy, its typology and model range and dimensions. It traces the relationship between the type of legitimacy of power and its ability to control violence in modern political systems. It reveals that fear becomes a new type of legitimacy of the political regime. Legitimacy based on fear is defined through the aspects of social division making them an instrument to appeal to certain social groups and their problems.
