Communitarian theory is a political theory that emphasizes the rights, interests, and good of the whole community or nation over the individual. For example, Rousseau held that the community, through the general will of society, could control the individual citizen (or his activities or property) for the benefit of the larger good. Because the individual person as part of the whole community is beholden to the society for his or her existence, this is not an infringement of his or her rights, and if the individual participates in making the community laws under which he lives, this total control is not oppressive.

Critics of "communitarian democracy," following the British liberalism of John Locke, claim that no rights or interests exist above the individual and that government is designed only to protect individual person's rights. Much of Western liberalism sees the "whole" interest of communitarian thought as a fiction that is simply used by a part of society to impose its will on others. They fear that communitarian theories lead to Fascism (absolute obedience to the state) and Communism (state control of the economy).

In contemporary American political thought, Benjamin Barber's Strong Democracy shows communitarian tendencies, though he eschews the title communitarian.

Free term papers are not written to satisfy your specific instructions. You can use our professional writing services to buy a custom written research paper, term paper, or essay on Politics at affordable price. CustomTermPapers is the best solution for those who seek help in writing term papers, essays, and research papers related to Politics and other relevant topics.