Habermas, Jurgen

Legitimation Crisis

Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1973. First Printing. Hardcover. "Jurgen Habermas is the most influential thinker in Germany today. Picking up where Adorno left off in his exchange with Popper, he became the central figure in the Positivismusstreit that dominated German philosophy and sociology in the sixties. Through his detailed criticism of positivist epistemology and methodology and his careful, undogmatic articulation of insights drawn from an immense knowledge of the German philosophical and sociological traditions, he made a lasting contribution...." ("Translator's Introduction," pg. vii). This work, "The Legitimation Crisis," was first published by Jurgen Habermas (b. 1929) in 1973. Its title refers to the “headlining” contribution which (virtually alone) justifies the existence of the work in totality. Habermas believed that in a "legitimation crisis, an institution or organization does not have the administrative capabilities to maintain or establish structures effective in achieving their end goals." However, as a term, “Legitimation Crisis” embodies a far wider suite of ideas, philosophies, and critical estimations. This is undoubtedly part of the reason why Habermas’ work (unlike the bulk of Critical Theorists, Postmodernists, and any number of affiliated, “small-batch” Marxist compatriots who fly similar flags to his own) is cited in support of arguments across the political spectrum. Along with Karl Popper, Habermas is the perhaps the least polarizing Critical Theorist -- and this measured, un-flamboyant clarity makes diplomats of the both of them. If, like Your Devoted Managing Curator, you lack an ability to stomach the incitements to violence native to Marcuse and are at the same time impatient with the neo-McCarthyism which threatens to take over the minds of all in principled opposition to the descendants of Marx, than a book like "The Legitimation Crisis" will no doubt be of use. [ISBN: 0-8070-1520-2]. Hardcover in unrestored, first issue dust-jacket: First American Edition, although not explicated as such on copyright page; First Printing, as indicated by number sequence thereon. Book in very fine condition with only mild shelf-wear, tiny exhibits of bumping to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine; mild-to-moderate age-toning, spotting to text block near topmost fine-edge of same. Dust-jacket in strong Good condition with mild-to-moderate shelf-wear, bumping & tiny exhibits of chipping to fine-edges & corners of front, back covers & spine; moderate-to-pronounced exhibit of crinkling & (variously unidirectional) creasing to front cover of same, esp. near center-middle, appx. 1" below topmost fine-edge & left-hand corner of same; near these points is an appx. 1" closed tear near (& slightly grazing) the author's printed name at spine & a correspondingly accentuated, though satisfactorily contained exhibit of crinkling/creasing present at & near same; phone number of previous owner (written in standard, blue pen ink in a very small font) near topmost fine-edge of rear flap at interior. Very Fine / Good. [Item #5260]

Price: $50.00