How Do You Spell COMMUNITARIAN?

Pronunciation: [kəmjˌuːnɪtˈe͡əɹi͡ən] (IPA)

The word communitarian /kəmˌjuːnɪˈtɛərɪən/ refers to a person who advocates or supports the idea of collective or community ownership and management of resources. It is spelled using British English phonetics, where the "c" at the beginning is pronounced like a "k", the double "m" represents a strong emphasis on the sound, and the "t" after the "n" is silent. The word ends with the "ian" suffix, which is pronounced like "ee-uhn". This word has been gaining popularity in recent years as more individuals seek to emphasize communal values in their social and political lives.

COMMUNITARIAN Meaning and Definition

1. Communitarian is an adjective that describes a philosophical and political perspective emphasizing the importance and value of community and social cooperation in shaping society and individuals' lives. The term is derived from "community" and is associated with communitarianism, a political theory that seeks to strike a balance between individual rights and community needs.

   In communitarian thinking, the community is seen as the fundamental unit of society, where individuals develop their identities and find meaning. Communitarians advocate for the recognition and promotion of shared values and responsibilities, believing that a strong and interconnected community is essential for social cohesion, moral development, and the well-being of its members.

   Communitarianism aims to address the perceived shortcomings of individualism and excessive focus on personal rights and freedoms, which can lead to social fragmentation and neglect of communal interests. Advocates argue for the cultivation of public virtues, civic participation, and the common good. Communitarian thinking promotes the idea that individuals have obligations and responsibilities toward their community and encourages social arrangements that foster cooperation, solidarity, and collective decision-making processes.

   While communitarianism can be seen as a critique of individualism, it does not reject personal freedom or private rights entirely. Rather, it seeks to harmonize individual liberties with social and communal values, recognizing that individuals flourish within a supportive, interconnected, and inclusive community.

Etymology of COMMUNITARIAN

The word "communitarian" is derived from the word "community". The root of "community" can be traced back to the Old French word "communité", which came from the Latin word "communitas".

In Latin, "communitas" referred to a partnership or fellowship among individuals. It was formed by combining the prefix "com-" meaning "together" or "with", and "munus" meaning "gift" or "duty". Over time, the meaning of "community" evolved to represent a group of people living or working together in a shared area, with common interests, goals, or values.

By adding the suffix "-arian" to "community", the term "communitarian" was formed. "-Arian" is an adjective-forming suffix, often used to indicate a person or thing associated with a particular quality, characteristic, or ideology.

Plural form of COMMUNITARIAN is COMMUNITARIANS