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The Communitarian Update
Number 23
October 28, 1999
Creative Coalition Objects to Cleaning Up the Media
The Creative Coalition organized a meeting in Los Angeles in which it
argued that the media is merely exercising its right to free speech
when it produces violent and vile programming. We suggested that the
First Amendment defines what is legal, but not what is morally acceptable.
Film producer Michael Bay asked if there is any evidence that violent
movies generate violence. We provided it. Both rap artist Chuck D and
actor Stephen Collins stated that they would not allow their children
to watch much of the regular movie and TV fare.
Reporting from Asia
Amitai Etzioni participated in a UNESCO conference earlier this month, in Seoul,
Korea and lectured on communitarianism in Tokyo, Kyoto, Nagoya and Osaka. His book,
The New Golden Rule is about to be published in Japanese. Among the scholars who
attended the UNESCO conference were Tu Wei-Ming (a natural communitarian from Harvard);
Fred Dallmayr from Notre Dame; Alex Honneth of Germany (a follower of Habermas);
progressive professor of law, Oanuma Yasuaki from Tokyo; Professor Zhang Jiangang
(China); our own Daniel A. Bell (Hong Kong); and a strong contingent from Korea.
The meeting was headed by Dr. Yersu Kim, head of the Division of Philosophy and Ethics,
UNESCO.
Dr. Kim's division just issued 'A Common Framework for the Ethics of the 21st
Century,' which includes these communitarian gems:
Without order, anarchy prevails; without autonomy communities turn into authoritarian
states. We must therefore strive for an equilibrium between individual rights and the
concern for the common good.
Recognizing that dialogue is essential to harmonious coexistence, we must learn to act
in such a way that dialogue accompanies every action.
Legislation tends to numb the moral urge.
Full report available from UNESCO Paris, 7 place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP;
Telephone: (33.1)45.68.10.00; Fax: (33.1)45.67.16.90.
Etzioni reports: "Visits with colleagues, the media, and public leaders suggest that
(a) Asian societies do not like to be lumped together as 'Asian', and stress that each
has rather different values.
(b) Several scholars from East Asia criticize themselves for being more conversant with
Locke and Plato than with their own scholars, and for trying especially to find progressive
elements in the rather hierarchical writings of Confucius.
(c) Rather than focusing on building up individual rights (especially for women, minorities,
and the handicapped), the main concern expressed was about the weakening of the community,
the moral infrastructure, and the sense of responsibility in East Asian societies. Local
observers seem greatly troubled by rising crime, disorder in classrooms, and the breakdown
of families. A typical statement was made by Professor Sang-Jin Ham, 'We may ask . . . if
the moral fabric of society was not torn apart in the process of the rush to development.'
The main culprit is said to be the rush to enrich one's self.
"An interesting thing I learned in Japan, which parallels other such findings, is that over
the years in which the Japanese GDP increased five times--the proportion of people who are
happy with their lot increased by two percent!"
Featured in the Newest Issue of The Responsive Community, Fall 1999
Community and the Corner Store: Retrieving Human-Scale Commerce by ALAN EHRENHALT
-- Face-to-face commerce is expensive. So is losing it.
Social Responsibility and the Legal Profession: Making Pro Bono Mandatory? by DEBORAH L. RHODE
-- What is the best way to foster professional responsibility?
Combining Value Pluralism and Moral Universalism: Isaiah Berlin and Beyond by HANS JOAS
Defending the "American People" by ANNA GREENBERG
-- Behind the public's ignorant, fickle, and irrational facade, is there a hidden genius?
Youth Violence: An "Over-Determined" Problem by AMITAI ETZIONI
-- How do we curb this disturbing problem? First we must agree that there is no one cause.
Commentaries on Vaclav Havel's piece which ran in the previous issue, by JOHN E. BRANDL, JOE LOCONTE,
MARVIN OLASKY, and WILLIAM M. SULLIVAN
Plus An Appeal to Hollywood, The Community Bookshelf, The Moral Dimension of Movies, and much more.
If you would like to receive FREE sample back issues of The Responsive Community for yourself or
your organization, please let us know at comnet@gwu.edu.
Communitarian Contributors Wanted for New Magazine
"Safe Learning", is a magazine which will be dedicated to helping school administrators
create optimal learning environments. Issues to be examined include violence, health,
accidents, and harassment at school. If interested, contact the editor, Ken Guentert,
at keng@rpinet.com.
New Publications
Feuds About Families: Conservative, Central, Liberal, and Feminist Perspectives
(Prentice Hall, 1999), Nijole Benokraitis, Editor. An anthology on marriage and
family issues featuring the work of Norval Glenn, Linda Waite, David Popenoe,
William Doherty, and others. For more information see the Prentice Hall catalogue.
Get Organized: A Guide to Preventing Teen Pregnancy a three volume manual for people who
want to prevent teen pregnancy in their communities. Published by the National Campaign to
Prevent Teen Pregnancy, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services.
See teenpregnancy.org to order.
A Night at the Theater
The play "Perfect Women" presented by The Theatre Conspiracy and produced by our very own
Jennifer Ambrosino, opened in Washington, DC on Thursday, October 21 and will run until
November 20. For tickets and information call (202)462-7833.
The Communitarian Update is compiled by Andrew S. Becker. Send RELEVANT news items to
comnet@gwu.edu. Please consider forwarding the Update to others who may be interested.
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