Robert Nisbet's Views on Decentralization and Authority

The chapter explores Robert Nisbet's perspectives on decentralization, community, and waning authority throughout history. It delves into the decline of traditional sources of authority like kinship and community, the impact of political centralization, and the state's role in taking over functions once handled by private entities. Nisbet's sociological approach contrasts individualist thinkers, emphasizing how social structures and institutions shape individuals.