Study On Habermas' Theories Of Legitimacy Crisis

As a famous philosopher and sociologist in contemporary Germany, Jurgen·Habermas is the second-generation leader of The Frankfur School. Habermas goes on his study during the recent half century in international academic circle, who makes researches on the problems of globalization, theories of governance and communication and the problem of Legitimacy and puts forward his own views. What's more, he makes good combinations between theories and practice, which is well reflected in his study on the Problem of Legitimacy.The paper expounds the definition of the legitimacy that is made by the Academy at first. Then, on the basis of the analysis of Empirical Theory of Legitimacy and Normative Theory of Legitimacy, the paper aims to analyze Habermas' reconstructive Theory of Legitimacy. Because of colonization of lifeworld by system and the structure of public sphere of the organized capitalism has changed ,the organized capitalism is confronted with legitimacy crisis. Habermas divides organized capitalism into three different systems: economic system, political system and social and cultural system. At the same time, he probes respectively economic crisis of the economic system, the rationality crisis and legitimacy crisis of the political system and motivational crisis of the social and cultural system; Besides, from the aspect of System Theory, he discusses the legitimacy crisis that organized capitalism faces and how to solve it. Habermas' aim is not to criticize the system itself, but to deal with the crisis of the system. Communication rationality is the principal way to settle the legitimacy crisis of the organized capitalism. Habermas also points out the importance of the reconstruction of the public sphere during solving the legitimacy crisis of the organized capitalism. Habermas' legitimacy crisis theory that points out the crisis in politics, culture and so on has its own value. While it also has its disadvantage, which is its reformation, for its criticism aims is to rescue capitalism. Habermas' analysis on legitimacy crisis of the organized capitalism is beneficial to China that is experiencing transformation. We can take lessons from it to perfect socialist democratic politics and strengthen the base of administrational legitimacy of Chinese Communist Party.