Etzioni, Amitai (born 1929)

German-born US sociologist. Elected president of the American Sociological Association 1994, Etzioni's early work on how organizations control their members, change, survive, and are integrated into the larger society led him to become senior advisor to the White House on industrial policy 1979-80. In 1993 Etzioni founded the Communitarian Movement, a network of academics who emphasize common ethical values and the community's right to police the behaviour of individuals.

His ideas about social discipline for the common good have influenced both Republican and Democrat politicians, including Bill Clinton. His works include Social Problems 1975, The Moral Dimension 1988, and The Spirit of Community 1993.

He was educated at Hebrew University, Israel and at the University of California at Berkeley.