Membership and Morals : The Personal Uses of Pluralism in America

In recent years, membership has dropped in traditional voluntary associations such as Rotary Clubs, Jaycees, and bowling leagues. At the same time, concern is rising about the growth of paramilitary and hate groups. Scholars have warned that these trends are undermining civic society by creating a dangerous number of isolated, mistrustful individuals and organized, antisocial renegades. In this provocative book, however, Nancy Rosenblum takes a new, less narrowly political approach to the study of groups. And she reaches more optimistic conclusions about the state of civil society. Rosenblum argues that we should judge associations not only by what they do for civic virtue, but also by what they do for individual members. She shows that groups of all kinds--among them religious groups, corporations, homeowner associations, secret societies, racial and cultural identity groups, prayer groups, and even paramilitary groups--fill deep psychological and moral needs. And she contends that the failure to recognize this has contributed to an alarmist view of their social impact. For example, she argues that, although extremist groups have obvious antisocial aims, they constrain individuals who would be even more dangerous as maladjusted loners. And she examines the rapid growth of small "support groups"--which are usually dismissed as politically irrelevant--and shows that the moral support people find in such places as prayer groups and self-help groups helps to cultivate the social trust some scholars say is disappearing. Rosenblum concludes that, for practical and principled reasons, American democracy should permit expansive freedom of association, illustrating her case with discussion of specific cases in law. Rosenblum recognizes, however, that freedom has a price. She reminds us that some groups have oppressive and even criminal tendencies, and she explores what liberal democracy should do to ensure that individuals also have freedom within associations and freedom to exit. Throughout, Rosenblum writes eloquently and with a powerful moral voice, drawing on law, practical politics, and psychology to produce an original political theory of the moral uses of pluralism. The book adds remarkable depth and subtlety to one of the leading subjects in contemporary social and political debate. In Recent Years, Membership Has Dropped In Traditional Voluntary Associations Such As Rotary Clubs, Jaycees, And Bowling Leagues. At The Same Time, Concern Is Rising About The Growth Of Paramilitary And Hate Groups. In This Provocative Book, However, Nancy Rosenblum Takes A New, Less Narrowly Political Approach To The Study Of Groups. And She Reaches More Optimistic Conclusions About The State Of Civil Society. Rosenblum Argues That We Should Judge Associations Not Only By What They Do For Civic Virtue, But Also By What They Do For Individual Members. She Shows That Groups Of All Kinds - Among Them Religious Groups, Corporations, Homeowners Associations, Secret Societies, Racial And Cultural Identity Groups, Prayer Groups, And Even Paramilitary Groups - Fill Deep Psychological And Moral Needs. And She Contends That The Failure To Recognize This Has Contributed To An Alarmist View Of Their Social Impact. Rosenblum Concludes That, For Practical And Principled Reasons, American Democracy Should Permit Expansive Freedom Of Association, Illustrating Her Case With Discussion Of Specific Cases In Law. Rosenblum Recognizes, However, That Freedom Has A Price. She Reminds Us That Some Groups Have Oppressive And Even Criminal Tendencies, And She Explores What Liberal Democracy Should Do To Ensure That Individuals Also Have Freedom Within Associations And Freedom To Exit. Introduction: Associations And The Moral Anxieties Of Liberalism -- Pt. 1. Pluralism And Liberal Expectancy. 1. Civil Society: Getting The Dangers Right. 2. The Morality Of Association -- Pt. 2. Voluntary Associations. 3. Religious Associations: Constitutional Incongruence. 4. Corporate Culture And Community At Home. 5. Compelled Association: Democratic Equality And Self-respect. 6. Membership And Voice. 7. Secret Societies And Private Armies: Conspiracism And Clear And Present Danger. 8. Fusion Republicanism And Paramilitary Paul Reveres. 9. Identity Groups And Voluntary Association: Filling In The Empty Politics Of Recognition -- Conclusion: Navigating Pluralism: The Democracy Of Everyday Life. Nancy L. Rosenblum. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [365]-415) And Index. Rosenblum Argues That We Should Judge Associations Not Only By What They Do For Civic Virtue, But Also By What They Do For Individual Members. She Shows That Groups Of All Kinds - Among Them Religious Groups, Corporations, Home-owner Associations, Secret Societies, Racial And Cultural Identity Groups, Prayer Groups, And Even Paramilitary Groups - Fill Deep Psychological And Moral Needs. And She Contends That The Failure To Recognize This Has Contributed To An Alarmist View Of Their Social Impact. For Example, She Argues That, Although Extremist Groups Have Obvious Antisocial Aims, They Constrain Individuals Who Would Be Even More Dangerous As A Maladjusted Loners. And She Examines The Rapid Growth Of Small Support Groups--which Are Usually Dismissed As Politically Irrelevant - And Shows That The Moral Support People Find In Such Places As Prayer Groups And Self-help Groups Helps To Cultivate The Social Trust Some Scholars Say Is Disappearing. Rosenblum Concludes That, For Practical And Principled Reasons, American Democracy Should Permit Expansive Freedom Of Association, Illustrating Her Case With Discussion Of Specific Cases In Law. In recent years, membership has dropped in traditional voluntary associations such as Rotary Clubs, Jaycees, and bowling leagues while it has risen in paramilitary groups. Scholars have warned that these trends are undermining civic society by creating a dangerous number of isolated, mistrustful individuals and organized, antisocial renegades. In this provocative book, however, Nancy Rosenblum takes a new, less narrowly political approach to the study of groups, and she reaches more optimistic conclusions about the state of civil society. In recent years, membership has dropped in traditional voluntary associations such as Rotary Clubs and Jaycees. At the same time, concern is rising about the growth of paramilitary and hate groups. Political scientist Nancy Rosenblum takes a new, less narrow approach to the study of groups. Writing with an eloquent moral voice, Rosenblum draws on law, practical politics, and psychology to reach optimistic conclusions about the state of civil society. The moment we begin to conjure up associations-Jaycees or the Michigan militia, homeowners' associations or the Mormon Church-we see difficulties with what has emerged as a driving force in public policy and a leading proposition in both social science and political theory: the idea that the relation between civil society and liberal democracy must be reciprocally supportive.