ABSTRACT

The chapter makes a case for a process-orientated understanding of legitimacy at both the negotiations and in the public arena. Peace negotiations become (more) legitimate in a process based on reasons of outcome and participation. Instead of being merely passively represented by civil society actors, there is proactive engagement by the population in making the process more legitimate. Consequently, civil society does not hold the exclusive prerogative of agency in the construction of legitimacy. The chapter discusses the question of agency at length and analyses the findings of the book in relation to other legitimacy research.