What specific type of strong support is secured by building a consistent reputation for fairness?

The specific type of strong support secured by building a consistent reputation for fairness is legitimacy. Legitimacy is the public's acceptance and belief in the rightfulness, justness, and authority of an entity—whether an individual, organization, or government—to make decisions, exercise power, or exert influence. This acceptance means that the entity's actions and decisions are viewed as proper, justified, and deserving of respect, rather than arbitrary or based on favoritism. A consistent reputation for fairness demonstrates that an entity operates with impartiality and equitable principles, leading stakeholders to trust that decisions are made without bias. This perception of fairness fosters legitimacy, which in turn secures strong support in the form of voluntary compliance, cooperation, and endorsement from individuals, groups, or the wider public. For example, a regulatory body that consistently applies rules fairly gains legitimacy, leading industries and the public to generally accept its regulations and enforcement actions, even when those actions are inconvenient, because the process is perceived as just.