Mapping Legitimation of Civic Engagement through Undergrad, Graduate, and Faculty Participation

Abstract

The authors provide a framework for understanding the process of legitimation and the status of legitimacy as it applies to civic engagement and community-based initiatives. They apply their own case study experience with a social circus organization as an example of how legitimation occurs during the practice of civic engagement. The authors outline strategic and tactical direction for establishing legitimacy with stakeholder, community, and institutional relations.