The Individual in the Shadow of Powerful Institutions: Niklas Luhmann’s Legitimation by Procedure As Seen by Critics

Niklas Luhmann’s book Legitimation durch Verfahren (Legitimation by Procedure) is of central interest for the evaluation of the performance of the social institution ‘procedure’, and contributes much to the explanation of procedures. But, as this paper discusses, Luhmann’s intention to show how the political system promotes self-legitimation without reference to contents fails. Critics of his book have conveyed further insight into legitimacy, legitimation, and procedural justice. Machura argues for a ‘multidimensional model’ of legitimacy and for a ‘legitimacy by fair procedures’.