Legitimacy and Force, Volumes One and Two are the state papers of Jeane J. Kirkpatrick as the United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations. The volumes feature all of the ambassador's UN and congressional testimonies, addresses, speeches and statements, and a broad selection of speeches on international affairs and human rights. Together they present a lucid and comprehensive account of the position of one of America's most controversial UN representatives.

Volume One is oriented around themes of democratic societies and undemocratic systems, human rights and political obligations. Kirkpatrick examines the nature and legitimacy of democracy and the illegitimate nature of undemocratic nations. She also offers poignant commentary on the presidential election of 1980 and what the "Reagan phenomenon" means to the United States and the West.

Jeane J. Kirkpatrick, until recently the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, is a senior fellow at AEI and Leavey Professor of Government at Georgetown University. Among her many publications are The Reagan Phenomenon, Political Woman, The New Presidential Elite, and Dictatorships and Double Standards.