A review of the book “The Good Society” by the sociologist Robert Bellah et al.
This paper examines the book “The Good Society” by Robert Bellah et al. which argues that social problems faced by all today are mainly due to the disappointment of institutions, as well as the collective response of the society as a whole. It discusses a proposed new democratic society being an exclusive one in world order and gives a social psychological analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of this ideal world. It argues how in order to be “the good society”, individuals should be left free to follow their private satisfactions autonomously of others.
“However, another feature of this book to which the author Bellah has argued and may not be much agreeable is when he talked about the new democratic society directly being an exclusive one in world order. He gave a social psychological analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of society that have been proficiently interpreted the necessity for a new public philosophy by asking the question, “Is this great society a good society?” (Andre, 1992). Here the argument lies that no matter how the society is, it always contain its weaknesses and strengths, so the question of author “Is this great society a good society?” does not give a positive impression on the reader’s mind.”