Legitimating Identities The Self-Presentations of Rulers and Subjects [Paperback]

This book discusses how rulers cultivate their identity for their own self-justification and esteem.Rulers of all kinds, from military despots to democratic presidents, spend a lot of time convincing themselves of their right to be in charge. In an important and original new survey, Legitimating Identities draws on a growing body of research in political science, history, and sociology to show how governments of all kinds devote time, resources, and energy to cultivating their own sense of who they are, not for the benefit or persuasion of the public, but for their own self-justification and esteem.Rulers of all kinds, from military despots to democratic presidents, spend a lot of time convincing themselves of their right to be in charge. In an important and original new survey, Legitimating Identities draws on a growing body of research in political science, history, and sociology to show how governments of all kinds devote time, resources, and energy to cultivating their own sense of who they are, not for the benefit or persuasion of the public, but for their own self-justification and esteem.From military despots to democratic presidents, rulers spend much time convincing themselves of their right to be in charge. This important and original new survey draws on a growing body of research in political science, history, and sociology to reveal how governments devote time, resources, and energy to cultivating their own sense of who they are, not for the benefit or persuasion of the public, but for their own self-justification and esteem.1. Legitimacy and legitimation; 2. Legitimating identities; 3. King John's Christmas cards: self-legitimation; 4. Cousins at home and abroad; 5. Rebels and vigilantes; 6. Citizens; 7. Conclusion; Bibliography; Index. In emphasizing self-legitimation, Barker has led us to new an insightful areas of study. This new volume is a major contribution to the study of politcal processes. American Journal of Sociology