Communitarian

Communitarian is a term used to describe a person who supports communitarianism, a political and social philosophy that prioritizes the interests of communities and the social bonds that sustain them. A communitarian argues that individual rights and freedoms should be exercised within the context of responsibilities to others and to the larger community, and that public policy should promote social cohesion and the common good. The term is often contrasted with strict liberalism, which emphasizes individual autonomy, and with libertarian or conservative critiques of excessive state intervention.

Origins and scope: The concept gained prominence in the late 20th century, especially through the work of Amitai Etzioni, who argued that liberal societies need moral and social foundations provided by families, schools, workplaces, and civil associations. Since then, various thinkers across the political spectrum have used the term to describe proponents of civic engagement, social solidarity, and norm-based governance.

Key ideas: Communitarianism stresses the role of community institutions in shaping values and behavior, the importance of social capital, and a cautious approach to rights that recognizes duties to others. Policy implications often include support for family and community services, civic education, and voluntary associations, along with policies intended to reinforce shared norms.

Criticism: Critics contend that communitarianism can suppress individual rights or justify illiberal or culturally conservative policies. Some argue that the term is broad or ambiguous, used to describe a range of positions rather than a coherent doctrine.

Relation to other terms: It is distinct from communism and from strict collectivist ideologies, and should not be conflated with state omnipresence. It shares concerns with civic republicanism and debates over the balance between freedom and communal responsibility.