The concepts “community” Essay Example for Free

The concepts â€Å"community† Essay Assessment evidence shows that you can: †¢ critically discuss the meaning of the concepts â€Å"community† and â€Å"community development† †¢ discuss some of the difficulties encountered when explaining these concepts †¢ provide a historical background of community development †¢ critically discuss how the meaning of these concepts has changed over time and how scholars influenced by different ideologies and disciplines have given diverse meanings to these concepts †¢ use evidence from the prescribed readings Critically discuss the meaning of the concepts â€Å"community† and â€Å"community development† Community Geographers emphasise spatial aspects, economists emphasise work and markets and sociologists emphasise social interactions and networks in their definitions of community. Community is also defined as people in a given geographical location, the word can really refer to any group sharing something in common. This may refer to smaller geographic areas a neighborhood, a housing project or development, a rural area or to a number of other possible communities within a larger, geographically-defined community. Examples of community: The Catholic community (or faith community, a term used to refer to one or more congregations of a specific faith). The arts community The African American community The education community The business community The homeless community The gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered community The medical community The Haitian community The elderly community Often when we think of community, we think in geographic terms. Our community is the city, town or village where we live. When community is defined through physical location, it has precise boundaries that are readily understood and accepted by others. Defining communities in terms of geography, however, is only one way of looking at them. Communities can also be defined by common cultural heritage, language, and beliefs or shared interests. These are sometimes called communities of interest. Even when community does refer to a geographic location, it doesn’t always include everyone within the area. For example, many Aboriginal communities are part of a larger non-Aboriginal geography. In larger urban centres, communities are often defined in terms of particular neighbourhoods. Most of us belong to more than one community, whether we’re aware of it or not. For example, an individual can be part of a neighbourhood community, a religious community and a community of shared interests all at the same time. Relationships, whether with people or the land, define a community for each individual. Community development The United Nations defines Community development as a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems. Community development is a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems. Community wellbeing (economic, social, environmental and cultural) often evolves from this type of collective action being taken at a grassroots level. Community development ranges from small initiatives within a small group to large initiatives that involve the broader community. It is a broad term given to the practices of civic leaders, activists, involved citizens and professionals to improve various  aspects of communities, typically aiming to build stronger and more resilient local communities. Community development seeks to empower individuals and groups of people by providing them with the skills they need to cause in their communities. These skills are often created through the formation of large social groups working for a common agenda. Community developers must understand both how to work with individuals and how to affect communities positions within the context of larger social institutions. Community development as a term has taken off widely in anglophone countries i.e. the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand and other countries in the Commonwealth. It is also used in some countries in eastern Europe with active community development associations in Hungary and Romania. The Community Development Journal, published by Oxford University Press, since 1966 has aimed to be the major forum for research and dissemination of international community development theory and practice. Community development approaches are recognised internationally. These methods and approaches have been acknowledged as significant for local social, economic, cultural, environmental and political development by such organisations as the UN, WHO, OECD, World Bank, Council of Europe and EU. Discuss some of the difficulties encountered when explaining these concepts Mayo (in Mae Shaw 2008:24) observes that it is not just that the term has been used ambiguously; it has been contested, fought over and appropriated for different uses and interests to justify different politics, policies and practices. Stacey (in Mae Shaw 2008:24) also states that the ambiguity of the term community also tells us something about its wider social significance and the way in which it continues to be appropriated to legitimise or justify a wide range of political positions, which might otherwise be regarded as incompatible. Kumar (2005:279) takes the debate further by looking at how the concept community has often been used in the implementation of community-based natural resource management (hereafter CBNRM) projects. The manner in which the term community is represented conceptually, socially, politically and geographically in CBNRM policies shapes the way in which relation- ships and administrative procedures are constituted and enacted. Mearns and Scoones (in Kumar 2005:279) argue that the concept of community has been taken for granted, especially, in policies, projects and also the literature dealing with the CBNRM. They argue that a community has been portrayed as a distinct social group in one geographical location, sharing common characteristics, in harmony and consensus: images that actually may be quite misguiding reflections of reality. Uphoff (in Kumar 2005:280) argues that CBNRM faces two particular problems in how the community is conceptualised, firstly, communities are not necessarily bounded social or geographical units, and nor are they likely to be homogeneous entities with single and agreed interests. It is this generalisation of community that has made the implementation of CBNRM difficult. Provide a historical background of community development One author traces its history back to the mid-19th- century USA, while another finds its origin in the early 20th-century history of the USA. One says it all started in India in 1921, and yet another would credit the 1931 Gandhian experiment in rural reconstruction as its beginnings. It is also claimed that the British colonial administrators of India were the creators of the elusive concept of community development. Critically discuss how the meaning of these concepts has changed over time and how scholars influenced by different ideologies and disciplines have given diverse meanings to these concepts Conclusion About the early history of community development there is as little agreement simply because there is no definition. Bibliography: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Community Tool Box website PeerNetBC website

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When seeking yourself within a certain religion or faith people are trying to find the answer or the meaning of life, of their existence, what their purpose is and so on. Religion is the answer to things unexplainable, because how else could this have happened? Well, with every person there is a different mindset, a different way of thinking. Different people are drawn to different belief systems. Whether this is Buddhism, or the Branch of Dividians. Christianity or vampires, everyone is different and what they believe could be as right as the other because really, who knows? This is not a question of who’s right and who’s wrong, but why some belief systems more are accepted than others. When people say they belong to more popular religions like Christianity or Judaism others rarely bat an eye, but once you mention a religion that is known as a cult they think you are in danger or that you yourself are dangerous. Why is it that cults are less accepted by society, but having a religion is fully accepted and in some cases even encouraged? What makes them so different? According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary a religion is, â€Å"1. The belief in a god or a group of gods, 2. An organized system of beliefs, ceremonies and rules used to worship a god or groups of gods, or 3. An interest, belief or activity that is very important to a person or group.† Whereas the technical term for a cult is, â€Å"a group or sect bound together by veneration of the same thing, person, ideal, etc.† (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cult). Although there is a difference in the technical definitions of religions and cults, the traits that define them are what makes them so similar. Defining a cult: A cult is typically defined by three common characteri... ...y need â€Å"something† for the sake of which to live gives a pretty good idea for why people join religions or even cults. What kind of people join cults? When people think about why and what types of people join cults, it is a common assumption that someone joining a cult must have physiological issues and that there is something â€Å"wrong† with them mentally. However, research shows that approximately two-thirds of cult members are psychologically healthy people that come from normal families with healthy relationships with one another. As for the remaining third, they are likely to have symptoms of depression. These symptoms are usually related to personal loss (like a death in the family), a failed romantic relationship, or troubles with their career. Only 5 to 6 percent of cult members demonstrate major psychological problems prior to joining a cult. (Rhoads, 2013)

History, strength of provisional government Essay

How far was the provisional government responsible for its own downfall? During the brief period of rule by The Provisional Government, Russia was troubled by several domestic issues that the provisional Government failed to sufficiently deal with when eventually led to their down fall in 1917. Their failure to fulfil the needs of the peasants, which was a big domestic issue, was a factor that led to their loss of support and in addition their failure to suppress the opposition led to their downfall. The instantaneous cause for their collapse was the fierce take over from the Bolsheviks led by Lenin. However the main factors that led to their downfall was their decision to continue in the war because it has worsened the issues that The Provisional Government failed to tackle which then led to loss of support from the bulk of the population and more importantly the army which they relied upon to defend The Provisional Government such as the July Days. In addition their decision to delay the elections gave the Bolsheviks a chance to take power. As a result, Lenin and the Bolsheviks were able to increase their support rapidly and take over so therefore The Provisional Government can be largely held responsible for their own downfall. Russia’s continuation in the war after the abdication of the tsar was the main reason for the down fall of The Provisional Government because it increased the issues that Russia faced already which worsened their respect and support as it was their decision to do so. As a result of this, they lost support of the army because they were losing in the war as they lost territory, soldiers and unprepared to go to battle. This decreased the soldier’s moral which eventually led to the breakdown of military discipline. This eventually led to radical parties having an increase of support because they were against the continuation of the war such as the Bolsheviks because they promised to end Russia’s involvement in the war. In addition, the continuation of the war meant that the issue of food shortages caused unrest amongst the population towards The Provisional Government. The Provisional Government also had little control over the countryside and also lacked the ability to impose their authority in its outside cities and towns. As a result the peasants took action which therefore undermined The  Provisional Governments authority. Many peasants took land from landowner’s whilst some engaged in violence. The Provisional Government was losing its authority in parts of Russia. The main reason for the lack of control was because The provisional Government lacked in legitimacy and due to this the public turned away and went to more radical parties such as the Bolsheviks. The peasants turned to the Bolsheviks because in the April Thesis, Lenin promised to address the land issue which The Provisional Government failed to do. And due to his, The Provisional Government support decreased and Bolsheviks support increased. The authority of The Provisional Government significantly weakened in June when they launched an attack on the Austro-Hungarian army. This was a utter failure and led to the breakdown of the Russian army. The soldiers leaving the front lines met and formed an Anti-Government rally in which they demanded all political power should be handed to the soviets. Furthermore other troops formed a Provisional Revolutionary Committee to campaign against the government. In addition only the government can be blamed for the events of the â€Å"July Days† because it was them who’s idea it was of the June offensive and therefore as a result, the July Days. By August 1917 Russia seemed on the verge of chaos because peasants were seizing land, industrial production was failing and soldiers were rebelling. Although the Provisional Government had survived, the demonstrations of the July Days brought a fatal blow to the position of The Provisional Government. Kornilov had feared a â€Å"coup d’à ©tat† and released imprisoned Bolsheviks and armed them to help the government. This was a blow as Bolsheviks membership increased and now they were given weapons, they did not give them back. The Kornilov Affair made the Bolsheviks look like the â€Å"defenders of Petrograd† so their numbers increased. As a result of The Provisional Government continuing in the war, opposition towards them grew. They also failed to suppress the opposition which led to opposition (Bolshevik) increase support. The Provisional Government also failed to meet the demands of the public so therefore making them turn to more extreme parties. The Bolsheviks were the biggest threat to the government because of their popularity, aims, guidance and methods. Overall, although The provisional Government had face many problems, it was the Bolsheviks that caused the eventual downfall of the government. It is not wholly The Provisional Governments fault for their own downfall because some of the problems they had inherited and as soon as they came into power they were already un-liked despite them playing a major part in it. The country side was already in chaos so that was not their fault and the April Thesis, Lenin’s speech, they could not be held responsible for that either. On the other hand, The Kornilov Affair, The June Offensive and the domestic issues were their fault as they did not address the issue leading to the radicalisation of the public. The Provisional Government did have a huge part to play in their own downfall because of their decision t continue in the war which enhanced/intensified the present issues.

Naturopathy in Public Health System - 895 Words

I am studying naturopathy 2 Naturopathy I am studying naturopathy Introduction We all are aware of the allopathic and homeopathic medicines for the cure of several diseases as we are immune to them since our childhood. Whenever there has been an infection, allergy or cold, the physician prescribe us some allopathic medicines to get rid of the illness. Apart from these two modes of medicines, there is another one which is not quite familiar to everyone. It is naturopathy or naturopathic medicine, which is more sophisticated than the other two modes since there are no side-effects of it and above all, it provides an insight into the mind, body and soul of the patient by which naturopaths become able to have a better understanding for the cause and cure of the disease. The treatment via naturopathy includes several therapies and techniques like hydrotherapy, physical therapy, mind-body therapies, nutrition, behavior change, herbal medicine, acupuncture, healthy eating and fasting etc (Mitchell 2012). The purpose of naturopath y is to develop awareness amongst the general public that the eating habits and lifestyle should be changed so that they could enjoy the best of their health. Also, since it helps in supporting the bodys own healing abilities, thus the body remains abstained from several infections and diseases. Naturopathic medical doctors focus not only upon the cure of several chronic diseases but also on the prevention, and providing education to the patientShow MoreRelatedEssay on naturopathy history657 Words   |  3 Pagesï » ¿History Naturopathy dates back to the school of natural medicine in Ancient Greece (400 BC), but the modern form of naturopathy arose in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. 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