Passage: Michael Sandel's communitarian critique of liberalism argues that the 'unencumbered self' of liberal theory is an unrealistic abstraction. Liberalism, he contends, views individuals as prior to their ends, capable of choosing their values and identities in a vacuum. Sandel suggests that our identities are deeply 'situated' in our social, cultural, and familial ties, which provide us with a sense of moral purpose and belonging. He argues that a just society must recognize the importance of the common good and communal values rather than just focusing on individual rights.