Communitarianism revisited

Etzioni, A. (2014).

Journal of Political Ideologies, 19(3), 241–260.

https://doi.org/10.1080/13569317.2014.951142

Abstract

This article provides a retrospective account and analysis of communitarianism. Drawing upon the author's involvement with the political branch of communitarianism, it attempts to summarize both the history of the school of thought as well as its most prominent ideas. These include the communitarian emphasis on the common good; the effort to find an acceptable balance between individual rights and social responsibilities; the basis of social order; and the need to engage in substantive moral dialogues. The article closes with a discussion of cultural relativism according to which communities ought to be the ultimate arbitrators of the good and a universalistic position.

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Here are some thoughts:

This article offers a comprehensive overview and critical reflection on the evolution of communitarian thought, particularly as it relates to political philosophy and public life. Etzioni traces the historical roots of communitarianism, highlighting its emphasis on the common good, the balance between individual rights and social responsibilities, and the necessity of substantive moral dialogue within communities. He notes that while communitarianism is a relatively small school in academic philosophy, its core ideas-such as prioritizing the welfare of the community alongside individual freedoms-are deeply embedded in various religious, political, and cultural traditions across the world.

The article explores the resurgence of communitarian ideas in the 1980s and 1990s as a response to the perceived excesses of individualism promoted by liberalism and laissez-faire conservatism. Etzioni discusses the tension between individual autonomy and communal obligations, arguing for a nuanced approach that seeks equilibrium between these often competing values, adapting as societal conditions change. He also addresses critiques of communitarianism, including concerns about its potential association with authoritarianism and the vagueness of the concept of "community."

For practicing psychologists, this article is significant because it underscores the importance of considering both individual and collective dimensions in understanding human behavior, ethical decision-making, and therapeutic practice. Recognizing the interplay between personal autonomy and social context can enhance psychologists’ ability to support clients in navigating moral dilemmas, fostering social connectedness, and promoting well-being within diverse communities.

Communitarianism, Properly Understood

Chang, Y. L. (2022).

Canadian Journal of Law & Jurisprudence, 35(1), 117–139.

doi:10.1017/cjlj.2021.21

Abstract

Communitarianism has been misunderstood. According to some of its proponents, it supports the ‘Asian values’ argument that rights are incompatible with communitarian Asia because it prioritises the collective interest over individual rights and interests. Similarly, its critics are sceptical of its normative appeal because they believe that communitarianism upholds the community’s wants and values at all costs. I dispel this misconception by providing an account of communitarianism, properly understood. It is premised on the idea that we are partially constituted by our communal attachments, or constitutive communities, which are a source of value to our lives. Given the partially constituted self, communitarianism advances the thin common good of inclusion. In this light, communitarianism, properly understood, is wholly compatible with rights, and is a potent source of solutions to controversial issues that plague liberal societies, such as the right of a religious minority to wear its religious garment in public.

Here are some thoughts:

The article addresses the misunderstanding of communitarianism, particularly the notion that it clashes with individual rights. It argues that communitarianism, when correctly interpreted, values both the individual and the community. The author suggests that individuals are partly formed by their community ties, which are a source of value. Therefore, communitarianism encourages the inclusion of individuals within their communities. The article concludes by illustrating how this understanding of communitarianism can safeguard individual rights, using the European Court of Human Rights' (ECtHR) decision on the French burqa ban as an example.