The Spirit of Community: Rights, Responsibilities and the Communitarian Agenda

by Amitai Etzioni

A social philosopher explains how Americans need to develop--or restore--a sense of community within the nation that emphasizes the rights and responsibilities of people within social groups in order to reconstruct and revalue society. 35,000 first printing.

Genres: Sociology, Politics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Society, Economics

323 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have been better to remain an article. Having said that, this is a book written to support the Burkean idea of community where civil society is what holds us together and that an overly strong dependence on government for unity is ultimately detrimental. Equally pernicious, is allowing work to overwhelm other human relationships.

[Jack]

i agree with 90% of this book, its so well articulated and reasonable. etzioni outlines a rock solid and timely argument for strengthening our community and curbing rampant individualism.

[Andrew Figueiredo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, a refreshing read about politics. We would do well to heed many of Etzioni's suggestions, but some of them seem a little outmoded.

[Alana Bleness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dated, but a good introduction to "why should I care about my community?

[Erik Empson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My father gifted me the book. It was far too soft an approach for me at the time, in my early twenties, but maybe there is some wisdom in here. Can't remember much about it, sadly.

[Maya · Rating 2 out of 5]

A naive proposal that fails to account for the American political system as it actually exists.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

read it freshman year @ college. haven't re-read it since so i can't vouch for the accuracy of my recall :-)