HEAVENLY COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL HELL: CRITICAL CONSIDERATIONS WITH CASTELLS’ REINTERPRETATION OF TÖNNIES’ DICHOTOMY

Abstract

In this essay critical consideration is given of the new version of classical sociological distinction between „community“ and „society“, which Manuel Castells presented in his information age trilogy. Also, the concept of identity is examined, especially „project identity”, which Castells uses in his attempt to dialectically overcome theoretical weaknesses of the opposition “community” and “society”, as well as the ideologies of those movement that attempt to build a more righteous and solidarity society. The purpose of this consideration is to attempt at understanding the modern possibilities of inserting the elements of community into a greater society, above all the growing European community of societies, peoples and countries – outside the comodified social connections, as well as the primordial characteristics of traditionally closed communities. In the conclusion, the author points out that the project of European values needs to take into consideration experiences, dilemmas and errors in practical accomplishments of earlier ideologies of great societies-as-communities. Also, the project of idealized European values, including the multiplicity of identity, needs to be completed together with the project of building material values. Otherwise, the European project will, concludes the author by paraphrasing Lenin, turn out to be liberal in its form but illiberal in its content.