The Spirit of Community

The Reinvention of American Society

by Amitai Etzioni

Reviewed by Steve Friedland

Perhaps many of the great transforming social or cultural movements throughout history grew out of the destructive social, economic, and political dynamics resulting from a society's dysfunctional mindset of "I-ness" or "me-ness" among its people. For too long many of us have watched (and experienced) the results of this type of dysfunctional mindset as it has spread among the diverse masses throughout America's business, government, political institutions, communities, adults youth, families, friends, and "strangers on the street."

In his new book, The Spirit of Community: The Reinvention of American Society, Dr. Amitai Etzioni explains why the critical institutions of our society are in crisis and shows what we can do to restore them. Dr. Etzioni proposes a renewed and rebalanced social contract, one that both protects individual rights and yet still serves and protects the needs of our society. He explains the sacrifices individuals must make to insure the future of our society.

Dr. Etzioni describes the "communitarian" philosophy and "The Responsive Communitarian Platform," which was drafted by a group of ethicists and social thinkers. The Platform has been endorsed by over 90 leading Americans, from mayors and local activists to national political figures from both parties.

The Spirit of Community is a resounding call to action -- a call to reinvent and reinvigorate our social and political institutions and restore our national sense of community. I believe that the Communitarian philosophy, platform, and process without puritanism or oppression, has the prospects for emerging as a great social movement for reawakening and transforming "We the People" of America.

— from our June 1994 Newsletter

Site design by BitJazz Inc.