Notes for a sociological theory of community (Analyzing the dimensions of an endless discussion)

The concept of community has always been one of the most powerful focuses of discussion throughout the history of sociological theory. In different traditions and perspectives that have developed over more that one and a half century of theoretical reflections, community has gone through the most diverse interpretations, critiques and recoveries. Particularly, in recent times, the emergence of "communitarian" discourses in different social areas -most of them outside the academic field-, has led us to rethink its characteristics and foundations.

Therefore, moving forward towards the construction of a "sociological theory on community" becomes imperative. This should not lead to the reduction of community to a number of concluding definitions, or to the formulation of a monolithic approach. On the contrary, it implies to identify and characterize the analytic dimensions that cross it over. These dimensions allow us to outline two research goals: 1) to reinterpret the various elaborations of sociological theory on community, pointing out tensions, contradictions and contributions; 2) to create a body of reflections that seek to contribute to increase the complexity and comprehension of community, both for sociological theory and for empirical studies. In order to do this, we will look into four central analytical dimensions of the concept of community: as an abstract ideal type of social relationships; as a historical antecedent of modern society; as a political utopia or horizon for social intervention; and as the ontological substrate of every sociality.