Single Idea 22806

[catalogued under 24. Political Theory / D. Ideologies / 7. Communitarianism / a. Communitarianism]

Full Idea

Because of the mediating structures of small communities, communitarians are less fearful [than liberals] of the emergence of an oppressive government as a result of the politics of the common good.

Gist of Idea

Communitarians avoid oppression for the common good, by means of small mediating communities

Source

Avineri,S/De-Shalit,A (Intro to 'Communitarianism and Individualism' [1992], §5)

Book Reference

'Communitarianism and Individualism', ed/tr. Avineri,S. /de-Shalit,A. [OUP 1992], p.9


A Reaction

A politics of the common good has an obvious implicit conservatism because the central consensus is always likely to disapprove of errant individuals, of all sorts. Only individual rights can block an oppressive government.