The Careless Society

Focusing on the power of local communities, the book highlights how neighborhoods can heal themselves without reliance on professionalized services, which often disrupt their natural resilience. John McKnight argues that the influx of social services has detrimental effects, leading to family breakdowns, failing schools, and increased violence. He advocates for tapping into the inherent strengths and capacities of local citizens as a more effective solution to America's social issues, emphasizing community empowerment over external intervention.