What does legitimacy mean within the framework of the seven elements for a successful negotiation? What are some considerations for ensuring negotiations are "legitimate"?

What will be an ideal response?

Answer:
As the parties evaluate options for resolution, they must agree on what criteria they will use to assess whether an option adequately meets their needs. Such discussions are essential where the parties are negotiating outcomes based on the merits rather than through pressure tactics or a superior ability to persuade or manipulate. Having independent standards for considering the validity of the options proposed, based on objective criteria, removes the guessing game from the negotiation process because it produces reliable, consistent outcomes based on principles.
A successful negotiation must be based on fair standards, which means that the parties have some basis for knowing when the terms and conditions proposed are fair and reasonable, as opposed to arbitrary or skewed in favor of one party or the other. Fair standards are generally based on the standards, policies, laws, procedures, practices, guidelines, cost-benefit analyses, and other criteria that have been used for similar negotiations as the negotiation that the parties are pursuing.
A successful negotiation must also be based on fair procedures, which means that the parties have a process for determining when proposals are fair and reasonable, including a process for settling disagreements and for evaluating the validity and viability of any proposal. Again, fair procedures can often be determined by comparison to the procedures generally used for situations similar to the negotiation the parties are pursuing. For example, if a supervisor and an employee are negotiating a difficult conflict situation, company conduct codes and discipline and grievance procedures may guide them in determining what may constitute a fair resolution.