Member-only story

Liberal Communitarian Response To Populism: Reshaping Democracy

Ross Nelson

·18.6k Followers· Follow

Published in Happiness Is The Wrong Metric: A Liberal Communitarian Response To Populism (Library Of Public Policy And Public Administration 11)

4 min read · 3 weeks before

540 View Claps

34 Respond

Save

Listen

In an era marked by rising populism and a decline in trust in institutions, the liberal communitarian response offers a compelling framework for addressing these challenges and fostering a more just and inclusive society.

Happiness is the Wrong Metric: A Liberal Communitarian Response to Populism (Library of Public Policy and Public Administration 11)

Happiness is the Wrong Metric: A Liberal Communitarian Response to Populism (Library of Public Policy and Public Administration Book 11)

by Amitai Etzioni

4.3 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	957 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	325 pages

Understanding Liberal Communitarianism

Liberal communitarianism is a political philosophy that emphasizes the importance of both individual rights and communal values. It seeks to balance the liberal emphasis on individual liberty with the communitarian emphasis on the importance of community and social solidarity.

Liberal communitarians argue that a healthy democracy requires a strong sense of community and shared values. They believe that communities provide individuals with a sense of belonging, purpose, and meaning.

Liberalism and Populism

Populism is a political ideology that emphasizes the common people, often in contrast to the elite. Populist politicians often appeal to the fears and frustrations of ordinary citizens, promising to protect them from the perceived threats of globalization, immigration, and cultural change.

Liberal communitarians argue that populism is a threat to democracy because it appeals to the worst instincts of human nature. Populist leaders often use scapegoating and fear-mongering to gain power.

The Liberal Communitarian Response

Liberal communitarians believe that the best way to combat populism is to strengthen communities and promote civic engagement. They argue that by giving people a sense of belonging and purpose, we can make them less susceptible to the appeals of populist leaders.

Liberal communitarians propose a number of strategies for fostering civic engagement, including:

Investing in education and skills training to create a more economically secure and engaged citizenry
Promoting community-based organizations and initiatives to create opportunities for people to connect with others and make a difference in their communities
Reforming democratic institutions to make them more responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens

Implications for Democracy

The liberal communitarian response to populism has important implications for democracy. By emphasizing the importance of community and civic engagement, liberal communitarians seek to create a more inclusive and participatory democracy.

Liberal communitarians believe that a healthy democracy requires a balance between individual rights and communal values. They argue that by strengthening communities and promoting civic engagement, we can create a more just and equitable society for all.

The liberal communitarian response to populism offers a compelling framework for addressing the challenges facing democracy in the 21st century. By emphasizing the importance of community and civic engagement, liberal communitarians seek to create a more inclusive and participatory democracy.

The strategies proposed by liberal communitarians are essential for building a more just and equitable society. By investing in education and skills training, promoting community-based organizations, and reforming democratic institutions, we can create a society that is more resilient to the appeals of populism.

Happiness is the Wrong Metric: A Liberal Communitarian Response to Populism (Library of Public Policy and Public Administration Book 11)

by Amitai Etzioni

4.3 out of 5