Law and the search for community

This book identifies and examines the "new relationship" emerging between the citizen and the state in the United States. Joel F. Handler takes a close look at citizen-agency relationships in terms of common themes in law, the sociology of organizations, and critical theory. Within the context of four empirical examples-informed consent in medicine, special education, community care for the frail, elderly poor, and water pollution regulation-he discusses the ways each treats the issues of power and quality of participation, along with the type of community (instrumental, sentimental, or strong) each creates.

Handler asserts that this "new rela tionship" between citizen and state is evi dent in a number of areas, including social Iwelfare and economic regulation, critical legal studies, feminist jurisprudence, and modern/postmodern ethics. He supports his argument by offering a critique of the orthodox theory of legal rights.
Law and the Search for Community will be of interest to scholars and students in the fields of law, ethics, and the social sciences.