Communitarianism
Topic: Political Theory: Freedom and Rights · NCERT: Beyond NCERT
Meaning
Communitarianism is a criticism of liberal individualism, the idea that the individual comes first. Its thinkers include Michael Sandel (1982), Alasdair MacIntyre (After Virtue, 1981), Charles Taylor and Michael Walzer (1983). They argue that people are shaped by their communities, so shared values, traditions and the common good must inform rights and justice. It matters for understanding group rights in India.
Example
India's Constitution protects the cultural and educational rights of minorities (Arts. 29-30) and allows religious personal laws. Both treat communities as important in their own right. The danger appears when community claims override individuals. In Shakti Vahini (2018), the Supreme Court dealt with khap panchayat diktats against inter-caste couples.
Don't confuse with
- Classical liberalism: this puts individual rights above community values. Communitarianism says those rights only make sense within a community.