Some [intentional communities], like the Shakers and the…
“Some [intentional communities], like the Shakers and the Harmony Society, have endured for a century or even longer. The Hutterians, to cite an extreme example, are today still strongly committed to communal living after practicing it, punctuated only by occasional lapses into private enterprise, for 450 years. The Hutterian rate of membership turnover has been only about 0.0006 per year.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Intentional communities can persist for centuries with strong commitment and low turnover.
In simple terms: Long-lived communal groups survive through shared purpose.
Foster shared purpose and low turnover.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- historical study
- community building
- comparative sociology
- policy design
- anthropology
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What mechanisms sustain long-term communal cohesion?
- How do occasional private enterprises affect community identity?
Longevity may hinge on external economic pressures.