Hegemony
Legitimacy test
The uninterrupted test arising from the fact that everything that exists can come to an end: can it go on existing? It requires no consciousness; the outcome determines legitimacy retrospectively. It has two layers: pure Physis (“do I have power right now?”) and death awareness (“tomorrow? after death?”). It works in both directions — the leader tests, and so does the lower class.
— Physis: A Theory of Power — Concept Glossary
The definition is from the Concept Glossary of Physis: A Theory of Power; the book will be published on Zenodo in October 2026. The English wording is provisional until the official English glossary is published.
| Author | Evren Öztürk |
|---|---|
| Published | 19 September 2026 |
| Research program | Physis |
| First appearance | Physis: A Theory of Power |
| Developed in | Physis: A Theory of Power — Chapter 1, §6 |
Related concepts
HegemonyLower-class paradoxPassive withdrawal of consent