Abstract:
Political legitimacy is one of the basic and major concepts of political science especially political thought. Different views of the meaning and the concept of political legitimacy go back to the roots of political legitimacy. In this article by using a comparative style, the author will attempt to compare the concept of political legitimacy in Imam Khomeini and Jurgen Habermas's thoughts. Imam Khomeini and Jurgen Habermas have their special definitions for the concept of political legitimacy which are not similar to one another. Imam Khomeini's thought was based on religious ideas in terms of the Quran, while Habermas's thought has been shaped in western cultures which criticize the contemporary capitalist society. It is no wonder that in some cases they have common views which are the subject of this article.
Machine summary:
"Question to be addressed is why political scien- tists, each according to his beliefs and thoughts to the origin and source of legitimacy of the govern- ment and in every community of nations based on a variety of reasons, have to obey the ruling power.
Imam Khomeini's view of legitimacy To analyze and explain the term "legitimacy" as an important material we need to provide further clarity: First, consistency, and indeed the absolute sove- reignty of God which eradicates human rule, "La Hula va La Ghovata Ella Beulah" which means that all things take place with the willingness of God. Second, the acceptance of the higher law of God for mankind and the consideration of the equality of human beings and the society.
According to Leeds, the legitimacy of the ruling power in every society is based on the attitude and customs of a nation and in the event that the people of a society accept their leader, laws and constitu- tion with satisfaction, this can be viewed as a legi- timate state (Leeds, 1998: 28-29).
The comparison between the views of Imam Khomeini and Habermas regarding political legitimacy According to Imam Khomeini, the sovereignty of a nation and the different aspects of their lives are governed first and foremost by a higher power; God. This is due to the belief that all creation and existence is in His hands and therefore possession of anything within this sovereignty in the first place belongs to him."