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Communitas and reflexive social theory

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Abstract

The article develops a critique of the notion that anomie invariably results from socio-cultural dislocation (sudden, rapid and wide-spread social change). In exploring and developing the concept of communality (communitas), the author argues that persons can and not infrequently do respond to serious disruption in social life by meaningfully reaffirming social bonds. Informed by this recognition, social theory is able to better clarify its potential contribution to the minimization of the socially and psychologically destructive consequences of structural and cultural dissolution.

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Hearn, F. Communitas and reflexive social theory. Qual Sociol 3, 299–322 (1980). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00987330

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