Marx's Influence on Community Development
Marx’s Influence on Community Development
This essay explores Marx’s influence on community development, within the parameters of social justice. I felt it was necessary to narrow down the focus of this topic as Marx has been translated, philosophized, reiterated, rewritten and rethought by a plethora of philosophers, sociologists, economists etc. I am also concentrating on Marx’s written ideas with regard to Western civilization. This essay does not enter into debate or description of contemporary Marxist or neo-Marxists approaches. Also, included in the discussion is conflict theory within which Marx’s ideas are formulated. Five of Marx’s major contributions to sociology and economics are described to inform the essay. These entail alienation, economic life and other social institutions, social classes, conflict as a theory of social change and capitalism. The general concepts of Marx’s theories are analyzed in relation to community development, its definition and the notion of social justice.
Community Development – definition and theory
Bell and Newby (cited in Popple & Quinney 2002) found 98 definitions of the term community alone by 1971. There have been many well-documented sociological debates over the concept of community as well (Popple and Quinney 2002). For the purpose of this essay it is important to present a working definition of community development that is ‘both distinctive and universal and can be applied to all types of societies from the post-industrial to the pre-industrial’ (Hustedde & Ganowics 2002) as the topic is both historical and contemporary. I agree with Hustedde and Ganowics (2002) in that the definition of community development given by Bhattacharyya is one that encompasses such criteria. Bhattacharrya’s (2004) simple definition is the process of promoting solidarity and agency. Solidarity is understood as ‘shared identity and norms’ (Bhattacharyya 2004, p. 12). Agency is defined as the ‘capacity to create, reproduce,
This essay explores Marx’s influence on community development, within the parameters of social justice. I felt it was necessary to narrow down the focus of this topic as Marx has been translated, philosophized, reiterated, rewritten and rethought by a plethora of philosophers, sociologists, economists etc. I am also concentrating on Marx’s written ideas with regard to Western civilization. This essay does not enter into debate or description of contemporary Marxist or neo-Marxists approaches. Also, included in the discussion is conflict theory within which Marx’s ideas are formulated. Five of Marx’s major contributions to sociology and economics are described to inform the essay. These entail alienation, economic life and other social institutions, social classes, conflict as a theory of social change and capitalism. The general concepts of Marx’s theories are analyzed in relation to community development, its definition and the notion of social justice.
Community Development – definition and theory
Bell and Newby (cited in Popple & Quinney 2002) found 98 definitions of the term community alone by 1971. There have been many well-documented sociological debates over the concept of community as well (Popple and Quinney 2002). For the purpose of this essay it is important to present a working definition of community development that is ‘both distinctive and universal and can be applied to all types of societies from the post-industrial to the pre-industrial’ (Hustedde & Ganowics 2002) as the topic is both historical and contemporary. I agree with Hustedde and Ganowics (2002) in that the definition of community development given by Bhattacharyya is one that encompasses such criteria. Bhattacharrya’s (2004) simple definition is the process of promoting solidarity and agency. Solidarity is understood as ‘shared identity and norms’ (Bhattacharyya 2004, p. 12). Agency is defined as the ‘capacity to create, reproduce,
References: Chenowith, L. & McAuliffe, D. 2008, The Road to Social Work & Human Service Practice, Cengage Learning, South Melbourne. Hustedde, R J & Ganowicz, J 2002, ‘The basics: what’s essential about theory for community development practice?’, Journal of the Community Development Society, vol 33, no. 1, p.19-, retrieved 27 April, 2010, Informaworld database. Kenny, S. 1996, Developing communities for the future: community development in Australia, 2nd edn, Thomson, Southbank, Victoria.