COMMUNITY ENCOURAGEMENT: RETURNING TO THE BASIS FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

This paper first presents a brief philosophical and theoretical critique of community development's transformation into economic development. The history of community development parallels sociology's community/society dichotomy of human associations. The acceptance of societal domination at the expense of community explains the movement away from community in favor of the larger society. This paper rejects the notion of the existence of the community/society typology and rather views both types of human associations as fundamental to rural life. Using these theoretical points, the paper uses a case study to introduce a successful rural revitalization process termed “community encouragement.” Using community input, a broad based local economic development team, and the resources of a regional university, the process integrates a community's traditional values with progressive revitalization plans.