Overview

From gated communities to Heaven's Gate, the idea and practice of community in America have not only declined but mutated. In the process, Americans' longing to be connected to something greater than themselves has intensified. This longing, coupled with an absence of genuine community alternatives, opens the way to counterfeit claims by those promoting economic rather than social agendas. This book examines ""counterfeit community"" as it has become manifest throughout contemporary American society—in housing, as it shapes our public spaces; in the workplace; in politics; in religion; and most recently, in cyberspace. Promises of community come from those hawking exclusive golf course housing developments, from shopping malls and shopping channels, from ""total quality management"" and mission statement rhetoric, from televangelists and electronic town meetings—and all lure us in, only to disappoint. As Counterfeit Community shows, building genuine community means no quick fixes and no false appeals. The hard work of weaving relationships must be combined with political, economic, and social change to counter the counterfeit trend. Marshaling positive examples of genuine community as well as increasing our sensitivity to false ringers, this book starts us along the way.

Full Product Details

9780847688722

Table of Contents

Reviews

Counterfeit Community crackles with life as well as a certain healthy skepticism. The examples are down to earth, the range of topics John Freie pursues is delightful, and his probing observations are such a strength. Of course this is a controversial book, in its definition of what community should be and should not be and in terms of how the examples are read by the author. That is all to the good; it gets one thinking and sometimes even gets the blood moving. A sassy and valuable contribution to the whole community debate.--Fowler, Robert Booth

Author Information

John F. Freie is associate professor of political science at Le Moyne College.

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