Final answer:
The loss of state authority and legitimacy in the 1980s was caused by the disintegration of communism, collapse of the party system, and a shift towards political and social conservatism.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the 1980s, there were several reasons for the loss of state authority and legitimacy. One major reason was the disintegration of communism in countries like the Soviet Union and China. The Soviet Union faced internal and external pressures that led to its dissolution, while China saw demands for more freedoms from its citizens. Another reason was the collapse of the party system in countries like Venezuela and Peru, which was caused by corruption, weakened party organizations, and ideological underrepresentation. Additionally, in the United States, there was a shift towards political and social conservatism, which led to a loss of faith in the government due to issues like the HIV/AIDS crisis and the war on drugs.