legitimacy

noun3

1. •
   The quality or state of being legitimate or valid; validity.

   • The legitimacy based on a revolutionary essence was replaced by legitimacy with an ultranational, ultra-Yugoslav character. — 2000
2. •
   Public acceptance of an institution, such as a government, corporation, or system.

   • After decades of inequality and oppression, the regime had lost legitimacy with its own population.
   • The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 was seen by many as proof of capitalism’s legitimacy over communism.
3. •
   Lawfulness of birth or origin; directness of descent as affecting the royal succession.