Seeking the common good for all

This past Sunday the church congregation, in which I am active, celebrated communion. I looked around and realized the diversity of the participants. Ages ranged from very young to very old. Skin color varied from very dark to very light. Education levels were broad. Wheelchairs and canes were apparent. Some folks were over healthy weight and some were very skinny. Hair color varied from black to grey to blond, and bald heads sprinkled the participants. I asked “what brings us together?” Specifically there was one cup and one loaf of bread. The meanings of that cup and that loaf of bread were probably as diverse as the outward appearance of those participating.

Most everyone knew that President Bill Clinton was an avid reader. During his second term, I noticed a book in a picture of his desk. On checking it out it was a book by Amitai Etzioi. Etzioni was a sociologist who taught at Columbia University and then at George Washington University. Apparently Etzioni was a quiet, out of sight consultant to President Clinton. He was a leading voice for a political and social movement called Communitarianism. While communitarian writings were notable, the name communitarian had difficulty. It sounded too much like communism. The communitarian movement looked for an alternative to liberal and conservative perspectives. The communitarians were critical of both the political right and the political left. Communitarianism advocates argued that our politics, our economics and our social understandings should be first and foremost concerned about the common good.

From the perspective of communitarians, America has drifted away from concern for the common good and has increasingly embraced an individualism that threatens the well-being of the nation. This became the concern of Harvard sociologist Robert Putnam. His book, “Bowling Alone,” received a lot of attention and is still considered a landmark study of the developing social structure of our nation. The title comes from a single illustration. Americans are bowling more lines than ever. Bowling leagues are disappearing. A later book of Putnam’s titled “Our Kids” takes a hard look at what is happening to masses of American kids because of the loss of community.

This column was triggered by a lengthy journal article by Philip Bess, professor of architecture at Notre Dame. Dr. Bess is my oldest son. The article was published recently in a major international Roman Catholic journal. The article is about the relationship between communities and individuals. In his argument, he insists that individuals are produced by communities. The values and the lifestyles of individuals ultimately are the values and the lifestyles of the community. Professor Bess argues that good communities are powerfully influenced by the buildings that are built, where the buildings are placed, the beauty they project and the way elements of the community are organized.

Individuals eventually grow up and mature. They have the power to shape the communities in which they live. The street that connects community and individuals is not a one way street, but a connecting link that is continually expanding and growing. It is a lively relationship that is never a completed task.

Dr. Bess’ ideal community is a walking community that puts people together in relationships of support and personal growth. In his analysis freeways and automobiles have been the great destroyers of communities in the post-world war developments of suburbs without the basic supporting tools of communities.

I believe our nation is in crisis, but is still aggressively resilient. The present theme of “making America great again” is as nearly evil as one can imagine. It is rooted in selfish individualism. On the other hand, I am encouraged by the growing demand for community. Community is basic to successful human life. I came from my experience of communion with my church family with a sense of wholeness and hope for the future. I came from my experience with communion knowing that community that embraces diversity is not just possible but actually exists and is satisfying and encouraging.

In my response to present American selfishness I recognized again that Etzioni got an abundance of things right by starting with the building of social capital through pursuit of the common good. The brilliant work of Putnam points us concretely in the right direction when he insists that every kid is our kid. Philip Bess offers concrete actions that can produce community.

Communion, community, communitarianism and thinking that joins rather than divides is the best path to a good future for us all.

The Rev. Howard Bess is a retired American Baptist minister, who lives in Palmer. His email address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.