Legitimization of the political elite in the philosophy of postmodernism

The article is devoted to the influence of postmodernism ideas on the concept of political elite legitimacy. The genesis of the modern understanding of the term, which originates in the philosophy of Max Weber and continues to develop in line with the liberal tradition, is considered. The period under study reflects the perception of the concept of legitimacy as a result of citizens’ free choice. The authors investigate the factors influencing the development of legitimacy theory in the conditions of the ideological dichotomy of the Cold War period. The positions of scientists, whose main works were written in the 1960-1980s and vividly reflect the ideas of the philosophy of postmodernism, are presented. The article examines current trends unfolding in Western political discourse, such as criticism of public metanarratives legitimizing power, the appearance of simulacra, denial of the principle of subjectivity of power, etc. It is noted that the ideas of postmodernism, supported and developed in the West, have led to a crisis in the values of society, which in turn are the basis for the legitimization of power, thereby devaluing the role of the political elite in the socio-political processes of the state. In conclusion, the authors give a number of arguments pointing to the negative impact of the Western postmodern agenda on the Russian socio-political discourse.