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The Communitarian Update
Number 17
May 7, 1999
Featured in the Newest Issue of The Responsive Community, Spring 1999
"Bowling with Tocqueville: Civic Engagement and Social Capital" by EVERETT C. LADD. Are
we really "bowling alone," and if so, is that a problem?
"Inside Japan's Community Controls: Lessons for America?" by JOHN O. HALEY.
"The Politics of Race: Justice, Violence, and Misinformation" by STEVEN M. TELES. A review
essay on three recent books on race that provide lessons for liberals, conservatives,
and the New York City police.
"The Driven Society: Why Americans Don't Listen to Car Critics" by ANNE MACKIN. We're
always being told to stop driving so much. Why won't we listen?
"Valuing Marital Commitment" by C. EUGENE STEUERLE. The so-called "marriage penalty" is
much larger than you think.
"Virtue and the State: A Dialogue," AMITAI ETZIONI and ROBERT P. GEORGE. What is the
proper role of the state in fostering virtuous behavior? Which behaviors are virtuous?
Plus: book reviews, Oregon's bizarre "health" policy, and more.
If you would like to receive FREE sample issues of The Responsive Community for yourself
or your organization, please let us know at comnet@gwu.edu.
Notable Rise in Organ Donors, Many More Needed
In 1998 the number of organ donors increased significantly for the first time in years.
As a result, approximately 600 more organ transplants were performed than in 1997,
though demand for organs still drastically outweighs supply. The increase was fueled
by a new rule under which hospitals must report all deaths to the organizations that
approach families to enlist donors.
Volunteers Sue for Pay
America Online depends on about 10,000 volunteer "community leaders" to facilitate
its online community. They are given a free AOL account in return for spending at
least four hours a week answering questions and moderating chat rooms. The company
is now being sued by former volunteers who say they deserve more than free online
service for their volunteer time. Might they be missing the point?
New Publications
Our study on the privacy of medical records appears in the May/June Issue of The
Hastings Center Report. The study concludes that individuals' privacy is being
needlessly violated by privacy merchants- firms that sell personal information
to marketers, employers, and insurance companies. For the complete story, see
Chapter 5 of The Limits of Privacy by Amitai Etzioni. The Movie Mom's Guide to
Family Movies (Avon, 1999) by Nell Minow is a guide for parents on how to use
movies to engage and inspire their children -- and to introduce topics like
responsibility, honesty, morality, and tolerance.
Democracy Online
The Democracy Online Project is dedicated to understanding the ways in which
politics may be improved by the Internet. Among its goals is to create and
promote an online public space where democratic values and good campaign practices
may thrive. To learn more, visit Democracy Online
What do You Think?
Under current gun laws, only convicted felons are prevented from legally purchasing
guns, whereas mentally ill persons- however severe their condition- are free to
purchase guns. Should this be changed? Would it be an unfair violation of privacy
to deny the mentally ill the right to buy guns? Send a brief message of your thoughts
to us at comnet@gwu.edu.
Conferences
The Third Annual "Smart Marriages/Happy Families" Conference will take place June
30 -July 6 in Washington, DC. Couples are encouraged to attend both to enrich
their own relationships and/or to learn how to teach the courses in their communities.
Mental health professionals, clergy, policy makers, educators, lay leaders, journalists
and the public are encouraged to attend. For more information visit http://www.smartmarriages.com
Big Tobacco: Lobbyists Got Rich and the Sick Got Sicker in '98
The total lobbying expenditures of the nation's biggest cigarette makers reached almost $60 million
in 1998. This was the cost of defeating a federal settlement that would have cost the companies
$500 billion. What a bargain.
The Communitarian Update is edited by Andrew S. Becker. Send any news items or questions
to him at comnet@gwu.edu
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