Community, Character, and the Governance of the Social Commons
Sanctuaries of Order
Will be published approx. on 25. June 2026
240 pages
979-8-216-25574-1 (ISBN)
Description
Ben Peterson explores the erosion of communal self-governance in contemporary American society and its consequences: rising social disorder and increased dependence on formal institutions such as policing and incarceration.
Drawing on thinkers such as Elinor and Vincent Ostrom, Russell Kirk, Glenn C. Loury, and James Q. Wilson, Peterson investigates the concept of the "social commons"-the shared moral and relational space we inhabit and shape through norms and actions. Arguing that restoring the social commons requires informal mechanisms of governance that cultivate virtue and mutual accountability, Peterson critiques both abolitionist and punitive paradigms, advocating instead for a middle path rooted in a character-centered approach to community life. He highlights the unique role of religious communities-especially Christian congregations-as vital sanctuaries of moral order capable of renewing the social fabric and offering hope amid chaos.
Listen to the author discuss the book with Dr. Glenn Loury on the Glenn Show here: https://tinyurl.com/3534j8xh.
Drawing on thinkers such as Elinor and Vincent Ostrom, Russell Kirk, Glenn C. Loury, and James Q. Wilson, Peterson investigates the concept of the "social commons"-the shared moral and relational space we inhabit and shape through norms and actions. Arguing that restoring the social commons requires informal mechanisms of governance that cultivate virtue and mutual accountability, Peterson critiques both abolitionist and punitive paradigms, advocating instead for a middle path rooted in a character-centered approach to community life. He highlights the unique role of religious communities-especially Christian congregations-as vital sanctuaries of moral order capable of renewing the social fabric and offering hope amid chaos.
Listen to the author discuss the book with Dr. Glenn Loury on the Glenn Show here: https://tinyurl.com/3534j8xh.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
5 bw figures
File size
2,85 MB
ISBN-13
979-8-216-25574-1 (9798216255741)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 07/2026
Rowman & Littlefield
€110.50
Not yet published
Person
Ben Peterson is Assistant Professor in the Department of Government and Criminal Justice at Abilene Christian University, USA.
Content
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Constitution of Order
Chapter 2: Governing the Social Commons
Chapter 3: Order, Convention, and the Delicate Task of Law
Chapter 4: "Policing Was Never Meant to Solve All Those Problems"
Chapter 5: Getting to the Roots
Chapter 6: The Social Witness of the Christian Church
Chapter 7: The Chicken and the Egg
Chapter 8: Sanctuaries of Hope
Bibliography
Appendix
Index
About the Author
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Constitution of Order
Chapter 2: Governing the Social Commons
Chapter 3: Order, Convention, and the Delicate Task of Law
Chapter 4: "Policing Was Never Meant to Solve All Those Problems"
Chapter 5: Getting to the Roots
Chapter 6: The Social Witness of the Christian Church
Chapter 7: The Chicken and the Egg
Chapter 8: Sanctuaries of Hope
Bibliography
Appendix
Index
About the Author
