Community Building

Written by Suvro Sanyal.

Community – is defined as a spontaneously arising organic social relationship characterised by strong reciprocal bonds of sentiment and kinship within a common tradition.

Eminent German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies had reiterated the fact that one distinct social group is a community, or a group of people that share common ties because of traditions, beliefs, or goals. Community relationships include intimate, long duration, less tolerance to nonconformity, traditional, and has relatively limited social change. The well-being along with the wishes of the community supersede the wishes and desires of the individual and all the members work together as one for the good of all.

Characteristics of Community:

(i) Personal Relationships – Across Communities, relationships are personal and direct. People interact with each other based on longstanding connections and deep emotional ties. For instance, in a rural village, everyone knows each other personally, and interactions are imbued with a sense of mutual obligation and loyalty.

(ii) Social Control – Social control across Communities is maintained through informal means such as customs, traditions, and collective conscience. The community enforces norms through social pressure, and deviant behaviour is corrected through community-based sanctions rather than formal legal systems.

(iii) Role of Family – A family is the cornerstone of the Community. Kinship ties define social relationships, and family obligations take precedence over individual desires. Family roles are typically ascribed, with individuals expected to fulfill duties based on their familial status and position.

(iv) Collective Identity – Members of the Community share a strong collective identity. This sense of belonging is reinforced through common values, beliefs, and practices. The community operates as a cohesive unit, with individuals prioritising the collective good over personal gain.

Bases of Community:

Communities are formed based on various factors and can take different forms. The main bases of a community often include:

• Geography/Location: People living in the same geographical area or neighbourhood often form a community. This could be a local community, town, city, or even a rural area.

• Shared Interests or Hobbies: Communities can be built around common interests, hobbies, or activities. This might include sports, arts, literature, gaming, or any other shared passion.

• Cultural or Ethnic Ties: Communities can be formed based on shared cultural or ethnic backgrounds. This can include people with a common heritage, language, or traditions.

• Religious Beliefs: Religious communities are often formed by people who share common beliefs and practices.

• Professional or Occupational Affiliations: People working in the same profession or industry often form professional communities. This can include groups of doctors, teachers, engineers, etc.

• Social or Support Networks: Communities may be built around providing support, whether it’s emotional, social, or practical. This can include support groups, social clubs, or charitable organizations.

• Online Communities: With the advent of the internet, communities can also form in the virtual space. Online platforms bring together people with similar interests, regardless of geographical location.

• Family Connections: Families form a basic social unit and can be considered as communities. Extended families, in particular, are a common form of community.

• Political Affiliations: People with similar political ideologies or affiliations may form communities to advocate for shared beliefs or work towards common political goals.

• Educational Institutions: Schools, colleges, and universities often create a sense of community among students, faculty, and alumni.

• Economic Ties: Communities can be formed around economic activities, such as business associations or trade unions.

• Shared Experiences: Communities can form around shared experiences, such as survivors of a particular event, veterans, or people who have gone through similar challenges.

These bases often intersect, and individuals may belong to multiple communities simultaneously. The sense of belonging, shared identity, and mutual support are crucial aspects of a community.

Elements of Community –

Locality, and Community Sentiment are the Two Principal Element of a Community.

• Locality –

A community is a local group. It always occupies a specific geographical area. Locality is the physical basis of a community. For example, even wandering tribes and nomadic communities have a place, even though their populations are changing.

A group of people forms a community only after they start living in a particular place. In contrast to societies, communities are localised. Living together makes it easier to establish social connections and provides protection, safety, and security. This helps members promote and realise their common interests. Also, the physical condition has a big impact on the social life. Most communities are settled and derive a strong sense of belonging from the context of their place.

Locality remains a fundamental element of community life. However, in modern times, the connections between local communities are becoming weaker due to the development of transportation and communication. In fact, the expansion of communication itself is a condition of a larger, but still territorial, community. A region includes physical factors such as fertile soil, minerals, forests, fisheries, water resources, vegetation, weather, and climate. These factors shape and influence the lives of community members in many ways. It has a close impact on economic activity.

• Sense of Community (Community Sentiment) –

Locality alone cannot form a community. Even after living in the same area, one may not have contact information and may not be able to communicate.

For example, people living in different areas of the city may not have enough social contacts.

A community is essentially a space of communal living with a sense of belonging. There should be a way of life, a communal life with an awareness of sharing the earth.

Community feeling means a sense of togetherness. Members need to realise that they are united and share common interests. A community cannot exist without a sense of identity, a sense of recognition, a sense of life, and a shared common interest in life.

Other aspects of the Community –

• Stability:

Communities are characterised not only by locality and sense of community, but also by stability. It is not a temporary group like a crowd or a mob. It is relatively stable. This involves permanent collective living in a specific location.

(b) Naturalness:

A Community usually arises naturally. It is not created intentionally. They are not created or produced by an act of will or planned effort. The individual becomes a member of it through birth itself. Therefore, membership is not optional. Community formation and development is voluntary.

(c) Size of the Community:

It includes the concept of greatness. A community can be large or small. Small communities can be integrated into larger communities. Towns and villages can belong to larger communities called districts. Therefore, there is a community within a community. As a large municipality, a district may include smaller communities such as villages, towns, and tribes. Therefore, the term “community” is used in a relative sense.

(d) Regulation of Human Relationships:

Over time, each community develops a system of traditions, customs, morals, and customs. A set of rules and regulations that govern member relationships. a sense that they have something in common in terms of memories, traditions, customs, institutions, etc.

It shapes and defines the general needs of people to live together.

But in today’s era, the nature of community sentiment is gradually changing. Today’s men’s interests are diverse and complex. Their connection to their community gradually fades.

In modern, highly industrialised urban communities, there is a severe lack of the sense of community.

Suvro Sanyal

Mavericknews30 has launched a series of articles on community building, sharing insights and success stories. Stay tuned for the next article as we explore how to create stronger, more connected communities!

Log on : www.mavericknews30.com
Follows us on : Twitter @mavericknews30
YouTube : @MarvickNews30