Government's Role in Community Development: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Politics, Slides of Community Journalism

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Is Government Involvement Necessary? Whether or not any level of government involvement is necessary in community development is going to depend on the community itself. Local governments prompt and manage community development in their own jurisdictions all the time; it's a part of their responsibilities to ensure a level of quality for residents. Many restrictions that exist in today's society are in place through laws created and enforced by the government. For some communities, this is the only involvement that government has in their community development process and it's not necessarily going to be a negative issue.

On the other hand, some communities are more than comfortable with the government getting involved in their plans for community development for the resources they can provide. They recognize that it may be a necessity for their efforts and can offer benefits that they might not otherwise gain without it. The private sector, while it may have a lot to offer, isn't going to have everything a community needs to improve itself; government programs tend to be available to fill those gaps. Resources sponsored by government offices are going to appeal to communities that desperately need the programs and funding they provide in order to make improvements. Local government involvement is often welcomed the most because it can act as a support system for communities who may be dealing with less than stellar circumstances, even if it's just encouragement from officials.^3 Again, it's all dependent on the situation and the factors present in a community during the community development process.

Lower Risks- When there is someone or something that has the knowledge and resources to do something, it's more likely that it's going to get done the way it should. Government involvement acts as both a guide and a buffer for community development, and can lower some of the risks that communities have when making improvements. The rules they put in place help keep things on track, which means it's a little harder to accidentally or intentionally skip steps. There are also contingencies attached to government programs and funding sources in the event of failure or issue; communities using those resources are not going to be at a complete disadvantage if something goes wrong. Protections- In addition to helping lower some of the risks that come with community development, government involvement can also provide economic and environmental protections.^5 Protecting the things in their respective jurisdiction is a part of the government's job after all. Enforcement of the community's rights and regulations to prevent those rights from being abused or taken advantage off are going to be the most common protections. Community development actions cannot be carried out if they somehow harm the community as a result-repairs and improvements to public spaces need to follow government-induced safety protocols, for example Lower Risks- When there is someone or something that has the knowledge and resources to do something, it's more likely that it's going to get done the way it should. Government involvement acts as both a guide and a buffer for community development, and can lower some of the risks that communities have when making improvements. The rules they put in place help keep things on track, which means it's a little harder to accidentally or intentionally skip steps. There are also contingencies attached to government programs and funding sources in the event of failure or issue; communities using those resources are not going to be at a complete disadvantage if something goes wrong. Protections- In addition to helping lower some of the risks that come with community development, government involvement can also provide economic and environmental protections.^5 Protecting the things in their respective jurisdiction is a part of the government's job after all. Enforcement of the community's rights and regulations to prevent those rights from being abused or taken advantage off are going to be the most common protections. Community development actions cannot be carried out if they somehow harm the community as a result-repairs and improvements to public spaces need to follow government-induced safety protocols, for example

Experience - Community development and urban planning tend to be

a part of the government's responsibilities, so officials often have

some experience with the community development process. It's

knowledge that can be a valuable resource, especially in young

communities where leaders may not be entirely sure of their actions.

Even some of the tasks that a community may need to complete in

order to implement improvements may involve actions that members

of the government do all the time in the course of their jobs.

Experience - Community development and urban planning tend to be

a part of the government's responsibilities, so officials often have

some experience with the community development process. It's

knowledge that can be a valuable resource, especially in young

communities where leaders may not be entirely sure of their actions.

Even some of the tasks that a community may need to complete in

order to implement improvements may involve actions that members

of the government do all the time in the course of their jobs.

Loss of Control - Possibly more of a fear than an actually, government involvement can result in a loss of the community's control over the situation. Intervention is viewed as a means of taking or restricting personal freedom, and community members are not able to make the same decisions as easily without it.^6 Such an imbalance of power can lead to other issues and even impede the community development process' success. For some, this is why government intervention is viewed more as a hostile takeover than a benevolent assistance. Corruption- Government officials or leaders of any kind may have agendas that are counteractive to the goals and objectives of the community, which may be viewed as corrupt. Lobbying has become such a major part of government that many people are concerned about the intentions behind their government leader's actions.^7 What motivations are there and where are they coming from? Who's actually going to benefit from this relationship and who's going to end up with the short end of the stick? Many of the communities who choose to go through the community development process are already at a disadvantage in society, which can make them a prime target of abuse from anywhere-including corrupt members of the government. Loss of Control - Possibly more of a fear than an actually, government involvement can result in a loss of the community's control over the situation. Intervention is viewed as a means of taking or restricting personal freedom, and community members are not able to make the same decisions as easily without it.^6 Such an imbalance of power can lead to other issues and even impede the community development process' success. For some, this is why government intervention is viewed more as a hostile takeover than a benevolent assistance. Corruption- Government officials or leaders of any kind may have agendas that are counteractive to the goals and objectives of the community, which may be viewed as corrupt. Lobbying has become such a major part of government that many people are concerned about the intentions behind their government leader's actions.^7 What motivations are there and where are they coming from? Who's actually going to benefit from this relationship and who's going to end up with the short end of the stick? Many of the communities who choose to go through the community development process are already at a disadvantage in society, which can make them a prime target of abuse from anywhere-including corrupt members of the government.

The Role Of Politics

When discussing government involvement in anything, politics are sure to be a factor. Everything as of late seems to have a political side to it so it's not surprising that politics plays a role in community development. Politics tend to be tied to people's motivations and actions, so many of the goals a community has for improvement may have or be influenced by a political agenda. This can include what is being done, how it's being done, why it's being done, and who is involved.Those who enact improvements and lead the community development process usually obtain some degree of power and recognition for themselves within the community. It can help them personally and it can help whatever cause they are a part of public support is going to go towards what or who has proven that they are a beneficial force. The role of politics in community development can also be problematic when the government is involved.The community itself will have its own politics, and there's always the potential that they can clash with the politics of those helping them.^10 Leaders in the process could reject any offers of assistance or resources from the government if their political beliefs counter one another. The refusal of any government assistance in and of itself can be political for communities that view federal or even state-level involvement is an overstepping of boundaries.

The Role Of Politics

When discussing government involvement in anything, politics are sure to be a factor. Everything as of late seems to have a political side to it so it's not surprising that politics plays a role in community development. Politics tend to be tied to people's motivations and actions, so many of the goals a community has for improvement may have or be influenced by a political agenda. This can include what is being done, how it's being done, why it's being done, and who is involved.Those who enact improvements and lead the community development process usually obtain some degree of power and recognition for themselves within the community. It can help them personally and it can help whatever cause they are a part of public support is going to go towards what or who has proven that they are a beneficial force. The role of politics in community development can also be problematic when the government is involved.The community itself will have its own politics, and there's always the potential that they can clash with the politics of those helping them.^10 Leaders in the process could reject any offers of assistance or resources from the government if their political beliefs counter one another. The refusal of any government assistance in and of itself can be political for communities that view federal or even state-level involvement is an overstepping of boundaries.

The Sustainable Communities Partnership , which is a collaborative

effort between HUD, the DOT, and the Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA). The partnership maintains an active list of federally

offered grants, programs, and assitance for communities.Non-federal

government programs are going to be different for each state, county,

and city in the country.

Determining what's available in your area for community development

and what the application process entails will require a bit of research.

Most of that information will be publically available in places like

government offices and websites. There may be local equivalents to

government-sponsored programs that are higher up in the hierarchy, like

the CDBG program. You can also contact your local representatives and

government officials for more information.