The Politics of Community: Theory and Practice

Abstract

Community is one of the most widely used yet also one of the most complex concepts in modern political thought. This book provides an introduction to the concept, showing how philosophical ideas can be used in political practice. The aims of the book are to (i) provide a critical analysis of the historical use of the concept of community in political philosophy and sociological theory; (ii) demonstrate the problems that emanate from the division between communitarianism and liberalism; (iii) contrast the orthodox views on communitarianism of conservative thinkers in the UK and USA with more radical and egalitarian perspectives; (iv) consider possible new ways of thinking about notions of com..