With “community” as the new buzzword bandied about by the likes of Bill Clinton and Tony Blair, Berry isn’t short of company. Social scientist Amitai Etzioni has opted for the soapbox rather than the fireside in The Spirit of Community (Fontana, £7.99, ISBN 0 00 686359 0). Under the banner of communitarianism, Etzioni calls for a “change of heart”, a recommitment to basic morality which, in the US at least, seems buried under the weight of street violence, drug wars and political corruption. Etzioni’s shrewd, comprehensive analysis and fearless tackling of big issues – such as balancing rights with responsibilities, and careers with children – make his a compelling argument.
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