Failure of Legitimacy

Purpose

This document defines what occurs when individuals, institutions, or systems violate the foundational constraints of the Humanity Framework.

Legitimacy is conditional. It can be lost.

Definition of Legitimacy

Legitimacy is the moral and civil authority to act on behalf of others.

Legitimacy requires:

• consent
• transparency
• accountability
• adherence to absolute prohibitions

Power without legitimacy is domination.

Conditions of Failure

Legitimacy is forfeited when an individual, institution, or system:

• commits an absolute prohibition
• enables or conceals prohibited acts
• violates consent in ways that cause harm
• exercises force outside defined constraints
• engages in systemic theft or coercion
• maintains power through fear, deception, or opacity

Intent is irrelevant. Impact governs legitimacy.

Immediate Consequences

Upon failure of legitimacy:

1. Authority is invalidated
2. Compliance is no longer morally required
3. Intervention to prevent further harm becomes justified

No entity may claim obedience while violating foundational constraints.

Obligation to Protect

When legitimacy fails, priority shifts to:

• protection of victims
• prevention of further harm
• containment of abusive power

Stability does not override safety.

Responsibility and Accountability

Responsibility lies with:

• perpetrators
• enablers
• decision-makers
• institutions that allowed harm to persist

Delegation does not absolve responsibility.

Restoration of Legitimacy

Legitimacy may be restored only through:

• cessation of harm
• acknowledgment of violation
• accountability for actions
• meaningful repair
• structural correction

Denial or cosmetic reform is insufficient.

Resistance to Illegitimate Authority

Resistance to illegitimate authority is justified when peaceful correction is unavailable and harm is ongoing.

Resistance must remain:

• proportionate
• targeted
• oriented toward restoration of legitimacy

Domination may be resisted. Domination must not be replicated.

Relationship to Other Documents

• Absolute Prohibitions define red lines.
• Use of Force Constraints define limits of resistance.
• Governance Models define corrective mechanisms.
• Safety and Responsibility define harm thresholds.

Closing Statement

Legitimacy is not permanent. It must be maintained.

Power that violates humanity voids its own authority.

When legitimacy fails, humanity has the right—and responsibility—to act.