CONCEPTS AND PERSPECTIVES OF COMMUNITY

 Community Dynamics and Community Action

Community - the word community was derived from the Latin word communis, which means
“common” or “shared”. Individuals having significant interaction within a specified
area becomes one of the contributory factors in forming community. A social unit that
shares something in common.

Community Dynamics - the changes in the community brought about by social, cultural and
environmental experiences whether it is positive or negative development that impacts within the
community.

Non-Geographical Community - It is a community formed based on needs, ideas, interests, identity,

practices, and roles in social institutions.

Geographical Community - It is a community where members share the same geographical vicinity
such as a village, province or neighborhood.

Two Levels of Community;

1. Micro-level Community - A community wherein a group is formed based on personal ties. This
may include groups formed for pursuing common interests or goals like forming a small organization
to hold a fund-raising activity such as concerts

2. Macro-Level Community - large group affiliation is formed such as national communities,

international communities, and virtual communities. Companies and corporations may develop
various programs that would include different members across the country. They will work on
meeting certain objectives and expand on the aspect of community involvement

Mores, values, and identity is a commonality that form culture. Hence, the interest of social sciences
focused in the study of communities. The following are the importance of studying community:

1. It motivates people to work together – people feel a sense of community and recognize the
benefits of their involvement.
2. It encourages social, religious, or traditional obligations for mutual help.
3. People see a genuine opportunity to better their own lives and for the community.
4. It understands policies promoting community participation that values social capital.
5. Community participation could be understood as the direct involvement of citizenry in the affairs
of planning, governance, and overall development programs at local or grassroot levels.

Community Action - is any activity that aims to increase the understanding, engagement and
empowerment of communities for the intention of giving services to people. There are 3-key points
in grasping the definition more meaningful:

1. Understanding – raise an awareness about certain communal issues that needs to be addressed.
People develop the feeling of involvement once they truly comprehend the situation within. They
come together to support advocacies.
2. Engagement – Once issues are assessed properly and people in the community understand the
needs, they work collaboratively to act on it. The main goal of engaging in the community is to
improve the partnership and coalitions among the community. It is important that engagement occurs
so that members will be able to involve meaningfully in the activities that they have created.

3. Empowerment – enable the people to independently decide, plan-out and take action to control the
situation they have in the community. This means, initiative and decisions come from internal group
organized for the benefit of everyone. It is also necessary that the community can provide significant
networks and linkages that will genuinely serve the advocacies that they have built.

Communication and relationships are imperative in building community. As people communicate

and interact, relationships foster. It develops pattern by which adopted in the environment.

 Definition of Community in Different Perspectives

A. The Social Science Perspective

A congregation of people. “Social Science” is an umbrella term for various fields of study which
examines social relations and human society. It views the community as composed of people
interacting with one another, sensitive to each other’s emotions and subjective point of view.
Basically, it describes “community as a group of people in a particular area interacting together.”

B. Civil Society Perspective

Stresses the idea of forming a group, foundation or an organization in service to society. This
perspective views society as a community of citizens linked by common interests and collective
activity. Some examples of civic organizations in the Philippines are ABS CBN Foundation, Ayala
Red Cross Foundation, Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines and Caritas Manila. The human right
movement, on the other hand, is an example of social movement.

C. Local and Grassroots Perspective

A setting for intervention. This perspective highlights volunteerism. Members of communities may
involve themselves in various programs or activities. The community uses self-organization and
encourages the local citizens to contribute to the community by taking responsibilities and actions. A
concrete example of this is when doctors and dentists in different communities come together to
organize medical and dental missions especially for families affected by calamities.

D. Institutional Perspective
A system of individuals and sectors. Groups and individuals embodies distinct roles and insterest.

First Dimension - It is an existing establishment or physical space where members of the community
go for a certain purpose.

Second Dimension - It is the institutional community as a social model. This is defined by networks
and institutions where community group are formed in certain areas such as schools, churches or
companies.

Third Dimension - Community is composed of the ways people act, interact with each other, react,
and expect each other to act and interact.
 Elements of Community

A. Structures
The structure of a community refers to the various elements that shape its social, political, cultural,
and economic organization.

Sociopolitical structure includes elements such as the political systems, laws, and institutions that
govern a community, as well as the power dynamics between different groups within the community.

Cultural structure refers to the beliefs, values, traditions, and norms that define a community's
shared identity. This includes things like language, religion, customs, and art.

Economic structure refers to the way that resources, such as wealth, labor, and goods, are distributed
and managed within a community. This includes factors like the level of economic inequality, the
type of economic system (such as capitalism or socialism), and the role of businesses and other
organizations in the economy.

All of these structures are interconnected and influence one another. For example, a community's
political system may shape its economic policies, which in turn affect the distribution of resources
and opportunities within the community. Understanding the complex structure of a community is key
to understanding its strengths, weaknesses, and potential for growth and change.

B. Dynamics and Processes

Community power refers to the distribution of influence and decision-making authority among
individuals and groups within a community. For example, in a small rural community, a wealthy
landowner may hold significant power due to their financial resources and social connections, while
other community members may have limited influence.

Leadership plays a critical role in setting a community's direction and making decisions that benefit
its members. For example, a community with effective and accountable leadership may be able to
secure funding for new infrastructure projects or address social issues in a timely and effective
manner.

Relationships between individuals and groups within a community can be a major source of stability
or conflict. For example, in a diverse urban neighborhood, positive relationships between different
cultural and ethnic groups can foster a sense of shared identity and community, while negative
relationships can lead to tension and conflict.

Social change can be driven by a variety of factors, including economic shifts, technological
advancements, and changing attitudes and beliefs. For example, the rise of the sharing economy and
gig work has had a significant impact on the economic landscape of many communities, while
changing social attitudes towards issues like gender and sexuality have led to increased rights and
protections for marginalized groups.

Overall, understanding the dynamics and processes within a community is crucial for creating
positive change and building a strong and sustainable future. By fostering positive relationships,
strong leadership, and equitable distribution of power, communities can work towards a more just
and equitable future for all its members.
 Typologies of Community

Typologies are useful for understanding the different elements that make up a community, and how
they interact with each other to create a unique social environment.

Physical Space-Virtual Social Spaces: Communities can also be classified based on the types of
social spaces that exist within them.

Local-Global: Local communities are those that are focused on a specific geographic area, while
global communities are those that span across multiple countries and continents.

Rural-Urban: Rural communities are typically located in rural or suburban areas, while urban
communities are located in cities. Rural communities tend to be more centered around agriculture
and natural resources, while urban communities are more focused on commerce and industry.

Formal-Informal: Formal communities are those that are organized and structured, with established
rules and regulations, while informal communities are more loosely organized and based on social
networks, personal relationships, and shared interests.

Sectors: Communities can also be categorized based on the types of people or organizations that
make them up.