ABSTRACT
Approaches that place an importance upon the notion of community are usually referred to as forms of communitarianism. Communitarianism is a very good example of a phenomenon that reveals common ground in the relationship between political and social theory and practical politics. Traditions of social and political thought such as socialism, Marxism and conservatism, have all emphasised the ideal of community. Communitarians have tended to view community not simply as an object of analysis but as the true source of values, particularly of self-reliance and self-help. Recurring themes are those of social justice, mutuality, a rejection of individualism, social networks, power devolved to local communities and an emphasis on family, neighbourhood and kin. Furthermore, it is suggested that community rather than the individual or the state should be the main focus of analysis.
