Communitarian thought has had a profound influence on contemporary American policy. Leaders as diverse as Al Gore and Jack Kemp have embraced it as the most powerful way of restoring America's communities and redeeming its political institutions. This comprehensive collection contains essays from the nation's most respected thinkers, including Mary Ann Glendon, Senator Bill Bradley, Jean Bethke Elshtain, and many others.

Contributions by: Ronald Bayer, Benjamin R. Barber, Daniel A. Bell, Robert N. Bellah, Senator Bill Bradley, Senator Dan Coats, Roger L. Conner, Ralf Dahrendorf, John J. DiIulio, William J. Doherty, Jean Bethke Elshtain, Amitai Etzioni, James S. Fishkin, William Galston, Mary Ann Glendon, Robert E. Goodin, Peter Katz, Mark Kleiman, Judith Martin, Dallin H. Oaks, Diane Ravitch, Philip Selznik, Fred Siegel, Thomas A. Spragen, Charles Taylor, Daniel J. Tichenor, Linda J. Waite, Alan Wolfe