The communitarian position on state neutrality is a perspective within political theory that challenges the traditional liberal idea of a neutral state. Communitarians argue that the state cannot and should not be neutral on matters of values, morality, and culture. Instead, they advocate for a more engaged and participatory role of the state in shaping and preserving the shared values and identity of a community.

Communitarianism emerged as a response to what its proponents perceived as the shortcomings of liberal political theory, particularly in terms of individualism and the emphasis on individual rights at the expense of community bonds. Communitarians argue that a purely neutral state, as envisioned by liberal theorists, is an illusion because any political system inherently embodies certain values and promotes a particular conception of the good life.

One key figure in the development of communitarian thought is Michael Sandel. In his influential work, "Liberalism and the Limits of Justice," Sandel critiques the liberal idea of the neutral state. He contends that the state is not neutral when it enforces laws and policies that reflect a particular moral or ethical stance. According to Sandel, such