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Our everyday behavior is played out through our social institutions - the family, school, church, the workplace, and government. The internal health of these organizations, whether they are local, state, national, or international, has a significant influence on our lives.
Robert Bellah, Professor of Sociology, University of California at Berkley, and his colleagues have written The Good Society. This text will be a benchmark for understanding American society and joins the writing of Alexis de Tocqueville, Walter Lipper, and David Riesman. The contents of The Good Society addresses current issues in our complex society: the American century, economy and work, government and politics, technology and moral education, the public church, and Americans in the world.
Robert Bellah's analysis speaks directly to our current democratic society - a unique society in our world order. He presents a social psychological analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of our society, skillfully interpreting the need for a new public philosophy and asks the question, "Is this great society a good society?"
For our students, reading The Good Society will bring to life just how fragile our society is, the importance of understanding social institutions, and finally how this understanding develops a greater sense of "personal free will."
Robert A. Patterson
Dean, Extended and Continuing Studies
Adjunct Professor of Sociology
