Abstract
In this article, I pursue the themes of newness and rupture as representing manifestations of legitimacy troubles in a host of America’s political and civil spheres, and in and amongst its democratic institutions. I present findings from the literature on legitimacy that indicate, despite much commentary to the contrary, a Trump like-character is not anathema to American symbolic representations of legitimate authority. Finally, I offer a brief cultural pragmatic analysis of the election and specify what performances of national identity and claims to leadership look like under these conditions.
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Acknowledgements
Shai Dromi and Anne Marie Champagne contributed mightily to managing this special issue project. Reviewers and Anne Marie helped me refine my argument. Thank you all.
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Mast, J.L. Legitimacy Troubles and the Performance of Power in the 2016 US Presidential Election. Am J Cult Sociol 5, 460–480 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41290-017-0046-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41290-017-0046-6