Editing Autocracy (section)

=== Legitimacy ===
Autocrats may claim that they have [[Legitimacy (political)|legitimacy]] under a legal framework, or they may exert influence purely through force.{{Sfn|Burnell|2006|p=546}} Opinion on whether an autocratic government is legitimate can vary, even among its own population.{{Sfn|Burnell|2006|p=548}} An autocracy's approach to legitimacy can be affected by recognition from other nations. Widely accepted autocratic governments are more able to convince their own populations of their legitimacy. Less widely accepted autocracies may rally internal support by attributing their lack of recognition to malevolent foreign efforts, such as [[American imperialism]] or [[Zionism]].{{Sfn|Burnell|2006|p=549}}

Historically, the most common claim of legitimacy is birthright in an autocracy that uses hereditary succession. Theocratic governments appeal to religion to justify their rule, arguing that religious leaders must also be political leaders.{{Sfn|Burnell|2006|p=548}} Other autocrats may use similar claims of divine authority to justify their rule, often in [[absolute monarchy]]. This includes the [[Mandate of Heaven]] in ancient China and the [[divine right of kings]] in 17th century England and France.{{Sfn|Murphy|2014}} When an autocratic government has a state ideology, this may be used to justify the autocrat's rule. This is most common in [[communist]] or [[ethnonationalist]] governments. Autocracies with unfair elections will cite election results to prove that the autocrat has a mandate to rule.{{Sfn|Burnell|2006|p=548}} Some autocracies will use practical considerations to legitimise their rule, arguing that they are necessary to provide basic needs to the population.{{Sfn|Burnell|2006|p=549}}