Community participation in the development

Vandana Desai
Summary
The article discussed the role of community participation in the
development. It gave light to the significant function of communities in
the active participation and involvement in the decision making
process which greatly affect the less powerful and the lesser
privileged. Thus, extending progress and development beyond the
confines of the upper class status of the society. It also discussed the
various meanings and interpretation of what community participation
is, and its necessity to create a world without inequality.
Furthermore, it also discussed the roles of community leaders
and community organization in the context of community participation.
It described how organizations and leaders could influence and
manipulate the effectiveness of community participation. It defines
who will rip the benefit of such actions, for sometimes it cannot be
avoided that these CP cannot represent the marginalized members of
the country rather it will symbolize the people on top.
It also gave a clear picture of how states react to community
participation for they have opposing idea of how CP works. The latter s
theorists believes that the state cannot cater to promotion of effective
CP, while the former also reacts haphazardly and poorly formulate
these ideals. The COs on the other hand are effective mechanisms of
the state to manifest social control, thus lessening the influence of CP
in decision making.
Lastly, it described the role of the non-governmental
organizations in the implementation of CP. It is said that the NGOs
serve as an avenue for the CP to actively participate in decisionmaking. Though NGOs are not entirely connected to political influence
but the problem arises when looked into account the charismatic
leaders who are running the NGOs, they are sometimes tinted with the
cloak of politicking.
Key Notes:
A. Community participation in the development
Community participation an indispensable part of any
program encouraged by the government, WB, UN agencies
and NGOs.
Will CP can achieve real improvements in social conditions?
It is desirable because of
o People have the right to participate in decision
making
o Social development can be promoted by increasing
local self-reliance
o Showing that the government and the people can
work together
o Co-opting a strong but manipulable community
leadership
B. Definition of Community Participation
Sharing by people in the benefits of development
Arguments on participation converge in the relationship
between three concepts: taking part; influence; power
Decision-making process and action process
Organized efforts to increase control over resources
Empowerment of the less powerful

C. Community Organizations and Community Leaders

COs to increase unity and solidarity
Mobilization

Community leadership important ingredient in the level

and form of CP and in successful decision-making
o Sources of leaders power
Charisma
Popularity
Influential friends

D. Role of the State in Community Participation

Recognize that it will have to implement substantial
structural changes in its administration, bureaucracy and
operational style.
The poor are left out in the design stage / will this meet the
real needs?
Co-optation forming a committee of elite power
Clientelism - a social order that depends upon relations of
patronage; in particular, a political approach that
emphasizes or exploits such relations. (Dictionary)
E. The Role of NGOs in Community participation
Promote authentic forms of CP ideals than the state
Prone to ossification (stagnant)
Politically progressive
Critical Reflection
Community participation in the development is indeed necessary
to give the lesser powerful an avenue to participate in decision-making
process. It is ideal for development should start from the people who
need them; it is the first hand populaces responsibility to know what
they need to make their lives better. Social conditions cant be seen
from a peripheral perspective but rather from the in side that is the
cradle of most of the underprivileged. It is true to say that the
formulation of programs for progress should come from the people who
need it.
The problem is that when CP is utilized it opens to many
opportunities for other people to become influential in the grassroots.
Instead of providing progress what comes out are community
organizations controlled by powerful leaders that does not advocate for
the need of rest of the mass population. The end result would be an
effective form of social control if used in the light of progress could
help out a lot but if in the light of self-interest, trouble comes in.
It cannot be denied that the effectiveness of CP goes into a
massive scale when we talk about progress but it also a reality that
people will always be vulnerable to influences that could harness their
productive thoughts or manipulate them for the benefit of the few. It is
a dilemma whether to use CP because of its effectiveness in creating

progress but it is also undeniable that people used it to promote their

interest.
Prepared by:
Philner P. Salindo
Submitted to:
Dr. Solomon C. Aplaon