Henry Tam's book outlines an inclusive and democratic vision that we could all get behind.
Review of: Communitarianism by Henry Tam
Reviewed by: Jason Leman
“Instead of having a single blueprint regarding what is to be done, citizens would continuously engage in a process of discovering how the values they share can guide their actions, resolve conflicting views they hold, and provide a basis for cooperating with other groups. The common respect for the values of love, wisdom, safety, justice, and fulfilment, would enable citizens with different perspectives to participate in mutual support, thus strengthening their interdependence without binding them to any untenable homogeneity.”
Henry Tam, Communitarianism, p.157
This passage from Communitarianism speaks to both the core strength of the ideal and a challenge. Henry Tam’s second edition of ‘Communitarianism’ is part history of the idea, part manifesto for what next, and part a vision of a future. It sometimes feels complex and academic, at other times simple and impassioned. A strand running through the book is the need for any community to be inclusive.
Communitarianism has been accused of wanting to turn the diversity of our mixed-up, cosmopolitan, global world into xenophobic cliques and parochial enclaves. But for Tam, far from being separated, communitarianism would bind us all together with basic human values and three core principles.
The three core principles of communitarianism:
The community here might be a village or neighbourhood, where you work, a flower-arranging class, or a political party. Indeed, it’s important to have these overlapping communities. To not hold to one community or another but to recognise the value of multiple different identities and groups we belong to. The communitarian argument is that wherever we have communities, the three principles and good values need to hold. This would support the flourishing of people as different and free individuals in ways that people struggle to do now.
Though we have lots of different values, the ones argued by Tam - love, wisdom, safety, justice, and fulfilment - have been appreciated by people across history and different cultures. Therefore, communitarianism could be accepted by many people and give people better lives. Indeed, in examples and case studies he makes clear that many things like communitarianism already exist. In businesses, in government, and in our neighbourhoods. The three principles and values offer a basis for us all to work together for a better world. That is Henry Tam’s message in an often inspiring book.
This isn’t to say that I have no quibbles. He is persuasive when setting out practical next steps with references, for example to ethical businesses owned by employees or peer learning between voluntary groups. But is less persuasive when setting out policies without examples of where that’s happened and the impact it’s had; for example, a recommendation for “one-stop assistance points through which all relevant public agencies are brought together”. It might be a good idea but it could equally be impractical or inappropriate for a communitarian future.
Throughout the book Tam takes aim at populist authoritarianism on one side and individualist liberalism on the other. However, the balance isn’t always clear. Should the harmful behaviour of would-be-parents really be “watched, reported, and where appropriate, registered”? Is a Universal Basic Income, the darling policy of some libertarians, absolutely necessary for communitarianism? I wonder if James Mill, father of the oft-cited 19th century philosopher and all-round genius John Stuart Mill, would end up on a register for hothousing his son. If we think of the basic values and principles then a UBI is just one option for the economic justice and safety that we need.
These examples talk to the main point of communitarianism, which is that we should all be involved in thoughtfully talking about these issues. We can discuss options, try things, see what works for us here and now, which might not be the same as what worked there for them then. The communitarian future set out is open to discussion. If ‘Communitarianism’ is a manifesto, it’s one that could and should be rewritten time and again in each place.
Some of the policy suggestions in ‘Communitarianism’ are mild - it is an argument for careful reform rather than revolution. However, the ultimate aim is a radical shift in our society and our relationships with each other. This is a future with no oppression and no exploitation. Where decisions are made at a human level and everyone gets involved in shaping and supporting their neighbourhood and workplace. There are plenty of examples from experiments in participation and deliberation that show how hard this is. A community can, after thoughtful and informed discussion, decide to do terrible things. Yet if the book sometimes feels like wishful thinking, Henry Tam is aware this is a big ask. It needs ordinary people and leaders in every place and organisation playing their part. It needs us all to include each other in thoughtful decisions. To hold to common values yet also value individual difference. Below he is on inspiring form, setting out the challenges and work we need for communitarianism to become a reality:
“The responsibilities to bring about these changes must be carried out by every type of institution in government, the business sector and civil society. As we have seen, in every field there are many encouraging examples of where communitarian structures and policies have been established. However, many obstacles remain. … The ascendancy of free market individualism has shown most disturbingly that efforts to build communities of mutually caring citizens can be undermined by those who are determined to break down communitarian structures and provisions. The resurgence of intolerance and authoritarianism is a warning that advancement in inclusion can be overturned by those who are adept at manipulating people under economic distress. What communitarians do have faith in is the possibility for building inclusive communities through our combined efforts.”
Communitarianism is a movement we can all be part of right now, from small actions of love and inclusion where we live, to advocating for big changes in making our communities more democratic and just.
To order Communitarianism, go to: https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/communitarianism-9781350422421/
The publisher is Bloomsbury. Communitarianism © Henry Tam 2025
Review: Communitarianism A Review © Jason Leman 2025
Citizen Democracy, Inclusion, Need for Roots, politics, social justice, England, Reviews
