Communitarianism
Communitarianism is a political ideology that prioritizes the needs of society over human interests. It is a contemporary philosophy that arose from the Anglo-American academy of the twentieth century (Warburton 4). It was based on the assumption that an individual's identity is centered on relationships within the group. The doctrine aims to promote a more limited level of individualism growth. In this context, a community is characterized as any group of people who share a past, a place, or mutual interests. However, one main aspect that unites this community is the potential to benefit from collective growth.
Communitarianism and Social Justice
Communitarianism supports social justice. In order for every individual to have a sense of belonging and work towards mutual growth, they must have a feeling that they belong to the community and stand to gain from its endeavors. Social justice is therefore considered a strong foundation for the development of any solid society. This eliminates class differences and oppression by people who feel that they are in power. In order for the members to gain from the joint development, they work towards elevating their fellow community members and working (Warburton 4). Each person ensures that other individuals get whatever they are entitled to. Leaders become selfless in order to set a good example for the rest of the members of the community.
Critics of Communitarianism
Critics of communitarianism prepone that social justice is merely seen as a means rather than as an end (Bell n.p). They feel that individuals push for social justice in this scenario as a mere way of meeting their obligations as economic actors, parents, officials, children or as mere citizens. There is no personal accountability when enforcing social justice. It is only seen as a way of becoming entitled to whatever the joint achievements that the community fulfills. Therefore, if one is not sure that their actions are not being seen by the rest of community members, they are less likely to work towards social justice. This argument against the relationship between communitarianism and social justice is weak because communities can come up with other mechanisms to depict social justice as a means. Emphasis should be given to social justice as responsibility.
Inclusion as a Key Element
Inclusion is stressed as a key element of communitarianism. In any thriving society, all people within it would like to be treated as inherent members. They aspire to gain full membership by taking part in activities sanctioned by a majority of the members (Bell n.p). They participate in basic continuities of life such as work, kinship, child-rearing, procreation, and friendship. For instance, child pornography can be alleviated by making everyone believe that they have a responsibility for taking care of the children. Therefore, individuals who have the intention to record and spread child pornography will feel as parents rather than beneficiaries of such incidents. The need for inclusion strengthens the social, economic, and political institutions within the society. Thus, the community brings people together, not just as mobilized masses. The people consider themselves as occupants of special niches. They are willing to take part in greater responsibilities as a way of enhancing their entitlement, respect, and dignity.
Sustainability and Natural Resources
One of the key aspects of social justice in the contemporary society is sustainability. Laws are enacted towards sustainability as a way of protecting the people of tomorrow. The issue of sustainability, especially in regard to natural resources, has been a contentious one. It involves making a ruling involving the people of today versus those of tomorrow, with the latter party in absentia. Critics of communitarianism prepone that the doctrine does not protect the people of tomorrow (Bell n.p). Communitarianism stresses on the need for balancing benefits between existing individuals. In this scenario, a member of the community who seeks to maximize their well-being will draw as many benefits as possible so that despite the sharing out, they can still have a substantive share. This argument is also weak because it does not provide a justification for individualism on the same basis. People who are after individual basis will also seek to maximize their well-being, which includes drawing as many benefits from resources as possible.
Communitarianism and Just Laws
Communitarianism is a good approach for protecting natural resources and factors of common good such as peace and security. Once the whole society resolves to protect resources, sustainability becomes an easier course. Individualism is the greatest threat to sustainability, especially natural resources, because a person will seek maximum exploitation with the aim of inhibiting access for the other members of the society. It is easiest to set an example towards sustainable development using the communitarianism approach. Once a section of society members gives up certain rights for a course, the rest will follow suit. People balance their individual rights and freedoms below those of the community.
Communitarianism is the best approach to determining whether a law is just. A just law is that which is in harmony with the moral law. An action can be termed as moral or proper conduct if it resonates with the universally accepted behavior. If an action is accepted by all members of the society, it becomes moral from the utilitarian perspective.
Works Cited
Bell, Daniel, “Communitarianism”, The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Summer 2016 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.). https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/sum2016/entries/communitarianism/. Accessed December 9, 2017.
Warburton, Diane. Community and sustainable development: participation in the future. Routledge, 2013.
