The book examines the development of the idea of community in western liberal democracy and the way in which it inspires participants in 'community development', and community politics'. Controversially, the book argues that 'community' is a contradictory idea, which ultimately frustrates participants in democratic politics.

Elizabeth Frazer is College Tutor and Lecturer in Politics at New College, Oxford University.

• Introduction


• Communitarianism, Philosophical and Political


• The Concept of Community


• Interpretation, Politics, and Community


• Social Constructionism


• Locality, Community and Politics


• Political Communitarianism and Family Life


• The Idea of a Political Community