Are there any philosophers who explain why modern society feels disconnected and lacking in shared community?

I’ve been thinking about how disconnected society can feel sometimes. In everyday life we usually relate to each other as complete strangers it’s not common to talk to strangers or feel “in community” with them the way you might in a family.

For example, if we did feel like we were in a real community, then when someone committed a crime, people might not only feel for the victim but also hold the offender accountable in a shared, public way almost like the victim’s loss was our loss.

I know socialism emphasizes community in some forms, and I sometimes read arguments from Piketty talking about how the inegalitarian distribution of wealth can result in a sort of “social distance” that makes it difficult to relate to one another as equals but I was wondering if there are any political philosophers or sociologists who have written about this kind of social estrangement. And if so, is there a name for the ideal I’m imagining?

Posted Dec 9, 2025, 9:40 AM UTC

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