In this enormously influential book, Jurgen Habermas examines the
deep tensions and crisis tendencies which underlie the development
of contemporary Western societies and develops a powerful analysis
of the legitimation problems faced by modern states.

Habermas argues that Western societies have succeeded to some
extent in stabilizing the economic fluctuations associated with
capitalism, but this has created a new range of crisis tendencies
which are expressed in other spheres. States intervene in economic
life and attempt to regulate markets, but they find themselves
confronted by increasing and often conflicting demands. As
individuals become increasingly disillusioned, the state is faced
with the possibility of a mass withdrawal of loyalty or support - a
'legitimation crisis'.

Widely recognized as a classic of contemporary social and
political analysis, Legitimation Crisis sheds light on a
range of issues which are central to current debates, from the
decline of class conflict and the disillusionment with established
political institutions to the crisis of the welfare state. It
remains essential reading for students of sociology, politics and
the social sciences generally.