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Review
British Journal of Sociology
"This book is an example of what social thought can be when it is carried out in terms of the highest of qualities. As such, it demands to be read for two reasons; first, because of the fascinating and new light it casts on otherwise well–worn debates and second, as a call to arms."
Contemporary Sociology
"Bauman′s argument is convincing and well substantiated. This book forms an interesting and stimulating starting point for anyone wishing to dig deeper into this field".
Gary Pattison, University of Southampton. Network
Product Description
′Community′ conveys the image of a warm and comfortable place, like a fireplace at which we warm our hands on a frosty day. Out there, in the street, all sorts of dangers lie in ambush; in here, in the community, we can relax and feel safe. ′Community′ stands for the kind of world which we long to inhabit but which is not, regrettably, available to us. Today ′community′ is another name for paradise lost – but for a paradise which we still hope to find, as we feverishly search for the roads that may lead us there.
But there is a price to be paid for the privilege of being in a community. Community promises security but seems to deprive us of freedom, of the right to be ourselves. Security and freedom are two equally precious and coveted values which could be balanced to some degree, but hardly ever fully reconciled. The tension between security and freedom, and between community and individuality, is unlikely ever to be resolved. We cannot escape the dilemma but we can take stock of the opportunities and the dangers, and at least try to avoid repeating past errors.
In this important new book, Zygmunt Bauman takes stock of these opportunities and dangers and, in his distinctive and brilliant fashion, offers a much–needed reappraisal of a concept that has become central to current debates about the nature and future of our societies.
According to Greek mythology, Tantalus - son of Zeus and Pluto, was on excellent terms with the gods who frequently invited him to wine and dine in their company at Olympic feasts. Read the first page
Concordance
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Although Bauman borrows researches and theories from others and his own former works to discuss this issue, he shows his originality by linking up the classical debate of community with his analysis of (post)modernity and the current social condition. He convincingly argues that modernization does not only dissolve all kinds of traditional communities, but also attempts to re-integrate all people into a wide variety of rational systems, such as industrial organization, school, urban society, etc.. The experience of modernity is a great transformation as well as a "great engagement". However, the failure of this modernity project leads to further intensification of the dilemma of security and freedom. The contemporary ghettoization, the massive obsession with local communities is a symptom or an aftereffect of this failure.
For Bauman, a "ghetto" is not a "community" at all; instead, it signifies the impossibility of community, i.e. another example of the failure of modernity project. It is evident that his analysis of contemporary community echoes his former discussions on postmodernity.
Bauman, although criticizes severely the notion of "multiculturalism" and communitarianism, he encourages us to have a new reflection upon community and hold the faith in cross-cultural dialogues. Readers might feel disappointed by the lack of a clear solution but Bauman still provides some directions for us to go beyond the current predicament.
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