Communitarianism – Community, Identity & Moral Order
UPSC PSIR | Political Ideologies | Liberalism Critique
1️⃣ INTRODUCTION
Communitarianism emerged in the late 20th century as a critique of liberal individualism.
Core Claim: Individual cannot exist outside community.
Humans are socially embedded beings.
2️⃣ BACKGROUND
Communitarianism reacts against:
- Rawls’ abstract individual
- Liberal neutrality
- Excessive individual rights
3️⃣ CORE IDEAS
- Community shapes identity
- Moral values arise from traditions
- Rights must balance with duties
- Shared common good is essential
4️⃣ KEY THINKERS
- Michael Sandel
- Alasdair MacIntyre
- Charles Taylor
- Michael Walzer
5️⃣ COMMUNITARIANISM vs LIBERALISM
- Liberalism → Individual autonomy
- Communitarianism → Social embeddedness
Communitarians argue: Rawls ignores historical and cultural identity.
6️⃣ COMMUNITY & JUSTICE
Justice must reflect shared moral traditions.
There is no universal morality detached from society.
7️⃣ MULTICULTURALISM LINK
Communitarian thought supports:
- Cultural recognition
- Minority rights
- Identity politics
8️⃣ INDIAN CONTEXT
- Village community structure
- Caste-based identities
- Personal laws debate
- Community-based politics
9️⃣ CRITICISMS
- May justify conservative traditions
- Risk of suppressing individual freedom
- Ambiguity in defining community
MAINS QUESTIONS
- Critically examine communitarian critique of liberalism.
- Is community more fundamental than individual?
- Communitarianism and multiculturalism.
QUICK REVISION MAP
- Embedded self
- Common good
- Identity politics
- Critique of Rawls
- Community vs autonomy
“The self is shaped by the community.”
Shaktimatha Learning – PSIR Ideology Series
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