The communal idea in the 21st century / edited by Eliezer Ben-Rafael, Yaacov Oved, Menachem Topel.

• TeilnehmendeR: Ṭopel, Menaḥem.; Ben Rafael, Eliezer.; Oved, Iaácov.
• Year of Publication: 2012
• Language: English
• Series: International Comparative Social Studies 30.
• Physical Description: 1 online resource (365 p.)
• Notes: Description based upon print version of record.
• Other title: Preliminary Material /; Introduction: A Difficult Question /; General Thoughts about the Communal Idea /; Developmental Communalism into the Twenty-First Century /; Theorizing Intentional Community in the Twenty-First Century /; Contemporary Communalism at a Time of Crisis /; Commune and Community: A Socialist Perspective /; Communes and Communities: History and Perspective /; Historical Perspectives on Participation /; Community: Greatly Needed but Hard to Achieve /; Communal Aspects of Contemporary Life /; In the Collective Interest: Job Quality /; The Communal Idea in 21st Century Australia and New Zealand /; Renewing Traditional Communality /; Christian and Messianic Jews’ Communes in Israel: Past, Present and Future /; Gender, Power and Equality: Women’s Roles in Hutterite Society /; The Reciprocal Relationship between Feminism and Communal Life /; Kibbutz Education: Characteristics, Changes and Future Relevance /; Kibbutz: Survival at Risk /; Epilogue /; Bibliography /; Index /
• Bibliography: Includes bibliographical references and index.
• ISBN: 1283638142; 9004236252
• ISSN: 1568-4474
• Hierarchical level: Monograph
• Statement of Responsibility: edited by Eliezer Ben-Rafael, Yaacov Oved, Menachem Topel.

The idea of a better society as associated with the communal idea is investigated from both theoretical perspectives and through contemporary experiences around the world. This idea leaves nobody indifferent. Whatever the hardship that its concretization implies, however, once it does materialize, it cannot, as such avoid new challenges, tensions and unexpected claims. This means, at varying degrees, negations of, and removals from, the “utopian inspiration”. Humans are able to create unprecedented conditions of life under most ambitious inspirations, but are unable to safeguard their achievements from change, alterations and contradictions. In this, however, another aspect of the utopian realizations is that they ultimately leave room for new utopist thinking and enrolment. As far, indeed, the utopian inspiration draws its vitality from potent civilizational codes, its renewal from ashes is as unavoidable as its self-betrayal through materialization. Contributors included: Eliezer Ben-Rafael, Rami Degany, Amitai Etzioni, Maria Fölling-Albers, Yiftah Goldman, Ruth Kark, Yossi Katz, John Lehr, Graham Meltzer, Bill Metcalf, Timothy Miller, Yaacov Oved, Michal Palgi, Donald E. Pitzer, Shulamit Reinharz, Lyman Tower Sargent, György Széll, Menachem Topel, Katherine Trebeck, and Chris Warhurst.