This document supports the following positions on building community: (1) as a society, there is a lack of a conceptual framework to engage in moral discourse, and a lack of a clear understanding of the notion of democracy; and (2) to build "real" community requires a means to engage in moral discourse, a clear understanding of democracy, and a radical and critical praxis. The discussion includes the following points: establishing the need for a moral discourse, presenting initial ideas for an understanding of democracy, and offering insight into the notion of radical and critical praxis that will provide the possibility of building community. School responses to changing notions of democracy have created different programs of reform. Because of the inability to engage in moral dialogue with society, it is increasingly difficult to clarify, debate, or act on visions of democracy. The inability to use moral language sensibly has been attributed to forms of academic theorizing. Democracy and community should be linked to a set of values, and these values must be more than abstract principles. Contains seven references. (AEF)