Symbolic Interactionism

Symbolic Interactionism--- Define: Symbolic Interactionism values the meanings that we give to events, places, etc. more than the mechanics of interactions. It examines how these meanings affect how we relate to each other and work together. Solidarity can be formed among a group when these symbolic meanings are recognized and fostered. A community can grow together around common goals and ideals (Phillips and Pitman, p. 26-27). Apply: Community development can use symbolic interactionism to help bring people together to create a common understanding and shared goals. When a developer takes time to learn the different aspects of the community that are considered important to the people involved, he or she can assist them in establishing goals for change. Adapt: A professional in the field of international affairs could use symbolic interactionism in their work. When travelling to other parts of the world to do business or address politics, an international affairs professional would benefit from understanding which values, traditions and people the host country assigns importance to and how to interact with individuals according to these accepted standards.

Organizational Systems Theory

Organizational Systems Theory Definition:

Organizational Systems theory describes how organizational structures and functions interact with the external environment and are influenced by external forces (Bowditch & Buono, 2001; Dooley,1997).

Application:

Within an organization, people combine their talents to reach a common goal. However, many cases power ends up not being equally distributed because it is concentrated at the top and the expectation is that it will trickle down and benefit everyone the same.

Adaptation:

Communities can use this theory by sharing their knowledge. For example, someone that attends college and graduates, but is from a community where attending is not the norm, they can return to that community and help others become college bound by sharing their knowledge. The point is to not keep knowledge or power captive.

Social Capital Theory

As defined in Phillips and Pittman's book (2009), "Social capital is that set of resources intrinsic to social relations and includes trust, norms, and networks. It is often correlated with confidence in public institutions, civic engagement, self-reliant economic development, and overall community well-being and happiness." Application Networks of people share their assets (money, tangible goods or information) to improve the position of the people within the group. Often can be seen as exclusive; instead of benefiting the whole it only benefits the few within society. Adaptation Social capital can be inclusive for the benefit of everyone within a community. For example, communities can promote healthy living by growing their own fruits and vegetables and sharing, exchanging or selling them at a low cost. In urban areas, groups can start local sport groups or exercise groups, such as walking or running on a daily basis.

Empowerment Theory

Empowerment Theory

Definition: According to Ledwith (2005), "Empowerment is not an alternative solution to the redistribution of unequally divided resources." Empowerment is more than providing the resources for one to help themselves out of poverty, it is the act of providing the necessary tools to shape the whole person and promote a critical way of thinking and consciousness. (Ledwith 2005).

Application: This theory can be applied to development work through the action of going to a community and waiting on the outside to be invited in. The idea of "treading lightly" is to work alongside individuals and not possess an overarching power. Action needs to be taken through advocating for change on both an individual, community, and policy level. Empowerment can be attained through working together and forming a collective state of consciousness that promotes and encourages change.

Adapt: This theory could be adapted into an office business amongst the employment team. Instead of the leadership exerting power over their "trainees," the empowerment theory could be used to promote a collective voice in the work environment. This theory, when executed correctly and collectively, has the potential to change the face of business centers and the ways in which people of power interact with people of lesser power in the business world.

Source: Ledwith, M. (2005). Community Development (pp. 1-55). Portland: Policy

Hegemony

Hegemony Defination "Concepetualises the way in which one class maintains dominance over the rest of society by a subtle system of coercion and consent. Coercions is maintained through the law, police and armed forces, and ideological persuasion. The theorist Gramsci's important comtribution gives insight into the way that our minds are colonized by dominant ideas thrugh the instititions of civil society- the family, religious organizations, schools and so on." ( Quoted from Margeret Lewith book's entitled Communtity Development, Page xiii) Comunity Development Example Society and the machine (informally the Man) or the (the dominate class) uses so many forms of subtle techniques to make oppressed group believe their messages and not ask for share of wealth or power. A Community Development example is how in urban areas , youth are expected to perform lower in educational test because they are poor. These messages are internalized by urban youth and made fashionable by sayings like "you're acting white if you get good grades." TV images of urban America do not show studious young people, rather TV shows glorify the "Totally Ganster" language and images. Thus our youth begin to internalize that to be an accepted as urban youth, I need to sag, swear, join the gang, get C, D, E, etc. Community Development action would help youth understand why these message are there so youth will not ask for a piece of the wealth pie such as better school, better teachers, etc.

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