Theoretical Traditions and Community Development
In this assignment I will discuss key theoretical traditions from social theory such as Social Darwinism, Functionalism, Liberalism, Marxist theory, Feminism and Social movement theory and discuss how they relate to the practice of community development.
Social theory seeks to explain change in society, how it develops, what factors facilitate and inhibit it and what results from it. Social theory can be viewed as a set of tools which are used in constructing our own explanations of what is happening in the society around us (owlnet.rice.edu, 2010).
Community development draws upon social theories to better understand the society around us. Community development is a structured intervention that gives communities greater control over the conditions that affect their lives. Community development works at the level of local groups and organizations rather than with individuals or families. Community development is a skilled process and part of its approach is the underlying belief that communities cannot be helped unless they themselves agree to this process. Community development has to look both ways: not only how the community is working at the grass roots, but also at how responsive key institutions are to the needs of local communities (maaori.com, 2010).
There are eight principles of community development, they are:
•Powerless people/ Social justice- Community development acknowledges that ordinary or powerless people need increased access to both resources and power structures. Social justice works towards equity and fairness for all.
•Citizenship and human rights- Citizenship is about what it means to be a member of society, what rights we should have and what responsibilities we should have. Community development has a focus on human rights and is concerned with our collective obligation to ensure that human rights are met.
•Empowerment and self determination- Community development is crucially tied to the notion that we need to work with
Social theory seeks to explain change in society, how it develops, what factors facilitate and inhibit it and what results from it. Social theory can be viewed as a set of tools which are used in constructing our own explanations of what is happening in the society around us (owlnet.rice.edu, 2010).
Community development draws upon social theories to better understand the society around us. Community development is a structured intervention that gives communities greater control over the conditions that affect their lives. Community development works at the level of local groups and organizations rather than with individuals or families. Community development is a skilled process and part of its approach is the underlying belief that communities cannot be helped unless they themselves agree to this process. Community development has to look both ways: not only how the community is working at the grass roots, but also at how responsive key institutions are to the needs of local communities (maaori.com, 2010).
There are eight principles of community development, they are:
•Powerless people/ Social justice- Community development acknowledges that ordinary or powerless people need increased access to both resources and power structures. Social justice works towards equity and fairness for all.
•Citizenship and human rights- Citizenship is about what it means to be a member of society, what rights we should have and what responsibilities we should have. Community development has a focus on human rights and is concerned with our collective obligation to ensure that human rights are met.
•Empowerment and self determination- Community development is crucially tied to the notion that we need to work with
References: Answers.com (2010) http://www.answers.com/topic/marxism, cited on 3/10/10 Britannica.com (2010) www.britannica.com /social-movement, cited on 4/10/10 Kenny, S, (1999,) Developing communities for the future, 2nd Ed, Nelson, Victoria. Kenny,S, (2006,) Developing communities for the future, 3rd Ed, Thompson, Victoria. Maaori.com, (2010) www.maaori.com/develop/communities, cited on 3/10/10 Owlnet.com, (2010) www.owlnet.rice.edu/socialtheory, cited on 2/10/10