ABSTRACT
The goal of Kibbutz Vatik has not been "reached" because its goal is a process, not Utopia or the elimination of problems. The community is experiencing many strains in seven areas of life. Socially, the village has made the transition to normal life without human diversity presenting an insurmountable problem. Historically, the community can no longer hope to reap the benefits of existing in a special historical period when pioneerism, self-sacrifice, and dreams of a new society dilute human diversity and make apportioning of resources much easier. Economically, inequality is the constant tug at Vatik's existence. It is a small problem, with potentially large consequences if the concern about it reaches divisive proportions. Politically, Vatik is not based on charismatic authority, and there is little threat of a serious concentration of power in the hands of a few. Educationally, the kibbutz high school strains every nerve of the individual-communal dialectic.
