Etzioni and New Labour

Having established a working definition of functionalism in Chapter Two, it is now possible to trace the impact of such trains of thought upon the highly influential ideas of the new communitarian movement of today. It is one of the contentions of this chapter that communitarian interpretations of society have been heavily affected by functionalist concepts and methodology. As will become clear later in this book, this is of critical concern for New Labour in that the teachings, understandings and messages emanating from the new communitarian movement have had, and still have, a great sway upon the political outlook of Tony Blair and his party. Consequently, a deeper knowledge of the theoretical leanings that lay behind the communitarianism of today will not only enhance an understanding of the policies of New Labour, but also strengthen the claim that New Labour has adopted a functionalist outlook in its attempts to implement welfare reform.

The importance of Amitai Etzioni in relation to New Labour should not be underestimated. Indeed, Chapter Six of this book will underline the point more thoroughly. For the time being, however, it is suffice to say that there is little argument over Etzioni’s influence upon the new communitarian movement. Ruth Levitas (1998), for example, points to the indicative emphasis Etzioni places upon the ‘family’ as well as upon ‘community’. On another level, Finn Bowring (1997) draws upon Etzioni’s calls for the revival of individual responsibility and social morality as a means to create social cohesion. Both recognise that it is precisely this focus upon family, community, social discipline, obligation and responsibility and not the blanket bestowal of rights that lay at the core of new communitarianism and its growing reputation.

Nevertheless, what has not been commonly recognised – and what has not been fully explored – is from where Amitai Etzioni actually drew his inspiration. How did he arrive at such an influential social philosophy, and what factors affected its formulation? Through a comparison of Etzioni’s later works with those of earlier times, it will become evident in this chapter that Etzioni has not said anything new or innovative. Neither has he provided a social prescription that actually traverses the old political and socioeconomic boundaries.