The Legitimacy and Justice in the Shiite Political Thought: an Introduction to Justice-Based Legitimacy

What is legitimacy? Can one present a comprehensive and widespread reading of legitimacy? The common views on legitimacy have often regarded it as a simple and mono-causal phenomenon, considering it generally in relation to the ruler, while it is necessary to consider the contents of the policies, practices, and normative aspects of the order and obedience to justify legitimacy of any government. The present article, while explaining the views on legitimacy, attempts to adduce religious texts to present a justice-based reading of the concept of legitimacy. The importance of justice in the Quran and traditions, especially in the Shiite tradition, leads us to that reading. Based on the findings of this study, justice can be considered as a far-reaching criterion for legitimacy. Justice-based legitimacy makes our attention shift from form to content, opening an interstice for passing from formal individual legitimacy to content legitimacy. Besides, making legitimacy contingent upon justice highlights moral aspects of politics and elevates the logic of order and obedience.