How do crises or sanctions affect the regime's legitimacy?

• A. They have no effect on legitimacy.
• B. They can be used to justify policy choices and bolster legitimacy.
• C. They automatically erode legitimacy.
• D. They are used only for external messaging.

Answer: (B)

Crises and sanctions offer a powerful stage for the regime to shape how people view its authority. When pressure hits, leaders can frame their responses as necessary for national survival, sovereignty, or protecting citizens, so tough policy choices—like economic reforms or security measures—are cast as prudent, legitimate decisions rather than arbitrary acts. In Iran, for example, external sanctions are often depicted as unjust pressure from foreign powers, while the regime presents itself as steadfast in defending the nation, using that narrative to bolster legitimacy and maintain support. If the regime manages the crisis well and communicates effectively, this framing can strengthen perceptions of competence and resolve. If it handles things poorly, legitimacy can suffer, but the core idea is that crises and sanctions can be used to justify actions and shore up legitimacy through the narrative of necessity and national resilience.