Communitarianism, as I use the word, is the opposite of individualism. Meaning the rights of the group outweigh the rights of the individual.

We can see the current vaccine mandates as a communitarian response to the pandemic, where the need to get everyone vaccinated trumps the rights of the individual to determine their own medical care.

Communitarianism in theory does not necessary mean rule by the state, but in practice it inevitably happens. Social groups demand protection by the state. The vaccinated demand protection from the unvaccinated.

This seems to be the main argument today in the United States. Left vs. right is actually communitarianism vs. individualism. Which do we value more, the rights of social groups, or the rights of individuals?