|
The Communitarian Update
Number 64
February 23, 2005
Tell us what you think!
France and the United States have strong laws that uphold the separation of church and state,
while many other nations do not. What model should those who favor democracy and human rights
promote in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, and the former Soviet republics? Separation of
church and state (and mosque)? One established "church?" Or some kind of middle road?
Please respond briefly and tell us how to identify you. We do not run anonymous responses
because we hold that true identities make for better dialogues. Please also provide some
details about yourself; if not your affiliation, at least your town and nation, to help us
understand your perspective.
Special Announcements:
A Dialogue for a New Moral Agenda
May 26-27, 2005 (tentative)
Washington, DC
What kinds of values resonate with the moral sensibilities of most Americans, and indeed
people all over the world? Our starting point is that within each of us there is a struggle
between our better and our debased selves; thus we ask, what social institutions can make us
better than we otherwise would be? Participants in the conference will include religious
leaders from a large variety of backgrounds, spiritual leaders, and secular leaders interested
in ethics. Those interested in participating should email comnet@gwu.edu with "dialogue"
written in the subject line. Registration is required due to space limitations, but there
will be no fee to attend.
***
Amitai Etzioni will give a talk on his new book, "How Patriotic is the Patriot Act?"
The University of Michigan Law School, Room 218 HH
Thursday, February 24
12:20 - 1:20 PM
He will also give a talk on his book, "From Empire to Community"
Michigan State University College of Law
East Lansing Campus
Thursday, February 24
5 PM
***
Michigan State University College of Law Conference:
"Children and the First Amendment"
East Lansing Campus, Law College Building
Friday, February 25
9 AM
Presentation of communitarian approach to children's rights to free expression and the
effects of the media on children's welfare.
***
World Political Forum Conference:
"1985-2005 - Twenty Years that Changed the World"
Friday, March 6
9 AM
Turin, Italy
Plenary session that will include discussion of the communitarian approach to global
security in the new world order.
***
University of Trento
Via S. Croce 65
Trento, Italy
Contact: Michele.Nicoletti@unitn.it
"Rights AND the Common Good: A New Approach to International Relations"
Afternoon of March 7
Talk based on the book, "From Empire to Community" by Amitai Etzioni
"A New Approach to Immigration"
Morning of March 8
Talk based on the Communitarian Network's position
paper "Diversity Within Unity".
News of Interest:
Are the Irish Content?
Some economists might say that Ireland has recently stumbled upon the pot of gold at the end
of the rainbow with unemployment down and growth in personal income and assets up. But it's
the same old tune: "Can't Buy Me Love" - or happiness for that matter. And the Irish are far
from content. Moreover, Ireland is growing morally troubled, as its information commissioner
recently pointed out. Money and all that it can buy are quickly replacing the traditional
bonds for which Ireland, whether stereotypical or not, has long been known: Family, church,
and community. See Lizette Alvarez, "Suddenly Rich, Poor Old Ireland Seems Bewildered,"
The New York Times, February 2, 2005, A4.
Poverty is Not the Sole Cause
The notion that stronger economic development in South America will stem the flow of illegal
immigrants into the U.S. has been popular in political circles for some time. But it is
running into some troublesome facts, particularly regarding Brazil. The number of illegal
Brazilian immigrants to the States has skyrocketed in the past two years, although Brazil's
economy has seen healthy growth. There may be other reasons for immigrating that prove more
complex and diverse than simply "poverty," which has long been thought of as the most likely
cause. Other motivations could include greater career opportunities and the existence of
communities abroad with firmly planted roots and open arms. To read more, see Joel Millman,
"Changing Face of Immigration," The Wall Street Journal, January 24, 2005, A16.
A Plague on Both Their Houses
Israelis and Palestinians have finally found something they agree on: They both want to tear
down the houses and public buildings of the Israeli settlers after the Gaza pullout this
summer. Even though these are some of the best buildings in the area, Israelis say they can't
bear the thought of Palestinians commandeering their homes, and Palestinians claim that they
are symbols of oppression and occupation. Thus, many thousands will be deprived of good homes,
clinics, cultural venues, and more because of unfettered nationalistic sentiments. See Greg
Myre, "Homes of Israeli Settlers Pose A New Set of Anxieties," The New York Times,
January 23, 2005, p. 6.
The above items were taken from our blog. Please visit http://www.amitai-notes.com/blog/ to
read more, especially on the topics of nuclear terrorism and the unfair society. To respond
to these items, email aeblog@gwu.edu.
Publications of Interest:
"Law and Intermediate Communities" A new book by Robert F. Cochran and Robert M. Ackerman
(Rowman & Littlefield, 2004.)
"Drawing on the law of torts for examples, the authors explore with authority what is
virtually unknown territory in American law: the ways in which our legal system does and
does not attend to the intermediate structures of civil society upon which our great
democratic experiment silently depends." -Mary Ann Glendon
"The New Golden Rule: Community and Morality in a Democratic Society" by Amitai Etzioni
(Basic Books, 1997) has been translated into Spanish. To obtain a discounted copy, email your
mailing address to comnet@gwu.edu with "spanish ngr" written in the subject line.
The Communitarian Network invites you to:
Order communitarian books by Amitai Etzioni, Edward W. Lehman, Daniel A. Bell, and Philip
Selznick at a 40-50% discount! For more information, please visit
http://www.gwu.edu/~ccps/order.html
Check Out Our Website and Weblog! Head to http://www.communitariannetwork.org for
communitarian publications, events, news, and ideas. Visit http://www.amitai-notes.com/blog for
current communitarian musings.
Send us your news. If you have news that highlights the communitarian perspective please
forward it to comnet@gwu.edu with "News" in the subject line.
**********************************
Endorse the Communitarian Platform!
Join other communitarians who have read and endorsed our platform. Visit our web site:
http://www.gwu.edu/~ccps/rcplatform.html.
************************************
We apologize if you received this message in error. To be removed from this list send the
message "signoff comnet" to listserv@hermes.circ.gwu.edu or reply to this message with the
word "remove" in the subject line.
|
