Towards a framework approach for assessing legitimacy: case study analysis of the UNSC

Legitimacy is essential for international institutions and the international order. In spite of its importance, it remains an under-researched concept in international relations. This paper seeks to address the research gap by introducing a framework that assesses legitimacy of international institutions. The proposed framework comprises five criteria (i.e. goals and values, membership, deliberative democracy, procedural justice, and accountability) across three categories of legitimacy (i.e. input-, throughput-, output-oriented legitimacy). A case study analysis of the UN Security Council is provided to illustrate the applicability of the proposed framework. It is hoped that the proposed framework may be used to help identify areas in which lOs may improve to enhance their legitimacy. Keywords: legitimacy, international institutions, international organisations, UN Security Council.Master of Science (International Relations