The Careless Society: Community And Its Counterfeits

Amid all the hand-writing about the loss of community in America these days, here is a book that celebrates the ability of neighborhoods to heal themselves from within. John McKnight show how competent communities have been invaded and colonized by professionalized service — with often devastating results. Overwhelmed by these social services, the spirit of community falters: families collapse, school fails, violence spreads, and medical systems spiral out of control. Instead of more or better services, the basis for resolving many of America's social problems is the community capacity of the local citizens.