Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Student, Department of Political Science, Zahedan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Takestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.
3
Assistant Professor, Islamic Azad University, Takestan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran
Abstract
Legitimacy is a quality that transforms pure power into legal authority, ensuring compliance not out of fear, but out of a sense of duty. Therefore, political legitimacy is considered the result of citizens' satisfaction, participation, and trust in the political system. The aim of this study is to examine and explain the relationship between political trust and political legitimacy, with a particular emphasis on the mediating role of political participation. For this study, a sample of 388 youths was selected from the city of Mashhad using multi-stage cluster sampling. To ensure the validity and reliability of the research, we employed confirmatory factor analysis, convergent validity, divergent validity, composite reliability, and Cronbach's alpha. The findings indicate a significant positive relationship between political trust and political legitimacy, mediated by political participation. In other words, the results indicate that high levels of political trust contribute to political legitimacy and its promotion among the youth in Mashhad. Additionally, the research findings highlight the significant role of mediators in political participation as a fundamental basis for enhancing political legitimacy from the perspective of the general public, particularly among the youth.
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