Analyzing the “community” concept of Michael J. Sande

Abstract

Community is the theoretical basis of Western Communitarianism, without community, then there is no Communitarianism. Michael J. Sandel was the one who came up with his own community concept as the representative representative of contemporary Western Communitarianism, and on the same foundation built a theory of the political community. So, what does the “community” in Michael J. Sandel ‘s concept mean? This concept is not only constantly changing, but also not really clear. In “Democracy’s Discontent”, Michael J. Sandel argues that the dissatisfaction of contemporary Americans is expressed through two points: First, regardless of individual or collective, they are gradually losing control of life; Second, the ethical structures of the community around them like families, villages, and neighborhoods to the country seem to be falling apart. Michael J. Sandel summarized these two points and said that it was a process of “losing autonomy” and “eroding the community”, and that it is becoming a common concern of our time (Michael J. Sandel, 1998).