THEORIES OF

COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
PREPARED BY MS. A. KISEGA
DECEMBER, 2023
MEANING OF THEORY
A theory is a set of principles on which the practice of an activity is based. It is a set of
assumptions or accepted facts that attempts to provide a plausible or rational explanation of
cause-and-effect (causal) relationships among a group of observed phenomenon.
The word theory is originated from the Greek word “thorós”, meaning
spectator/viewer/watcher.
Theories are explanations that can provide help in understanding people’s behavior and a
framework from which community developers can explain and comprehend events.
Whether community developers want others to conduct relevant research or they want to
participate in the research themselves, it is important that they have theoretical grounding.
Theory is the major guide to understanding the complexity of community life and social and
economic change.
CONFLICT THEORY
Conflict theory, first developed by Karl Marx, is a theory that society is in a state
of perpetual conflict because of competition for limited resources. Conflict
theory is attributed to Karl Marx, a 19th-century political philosopher who led
the development of communism as a school of thought in economics.
Conflict theory focuses on the competition among groups within society over
limited resources. According to conflict theory, those with wealth and power try
to hold on to it by any means possible, chiefly by suppressing the poor and
powerless.
Marxist conflict theory sees society as divided along lines of economic class
between the working class and the bourgeois ruling class.
CONFLICT THEORY Cont. …
Conflict theory has sought to explain a wide range of social
phenomena, including wars, revolutions, poverty, discrimination, and
domestic violence. It ascribes most of the fundamental
developments in human history, such as democracy and civil rights,
to capitalistic attempts to control the masses (as opposed to a desire
for social order).
Conflict Theory Assumptions
1. Competition
Conflict theorists believe that competition is a constant and, at times, an overwhelming factor in
nearly every human relationship and interaction. Competition exists as a result of the scarcity of
resources, including material resources i.e. money, property, commodities, and more. Beyond
material resources, individuals and groups within a society compete for intangible resources as
well such as leisure time, dominance, social status, sexual partners, etc.
2. Revolution
Given conflict theorists' assumption that conflict occurs between social classes, one outcome of
this conflict is a revolutionary event. The idea is that change in a power dynamic between
groups does not happen as the result of a gradual adaptation.
Conflict Theory Assumptions
Rather, it comes about as the symptom of conflict between these groups. In this
way, changes to a power dynamic are often abrupt and large in scale, rather
than gradual and evolutionary.
3. Structural inequality
Another assumption of conflict theory is that human relationships and social
structures all experience inequalities of power. In this way, some individuals and
groups inherently develop more power and reward than others. Following this,
those individuals and groups that benefit from a particular structure of society
tend to work to maintain those structures as a way of retaining and enhancing
their power.
Conflict Theory Assumptions
4. War
Conflict theorists tend to see war as either a unifier or as a "cleanser" of
societies. In conflict theory, war is the result of a cumulative and growing conflict
between individuals and groups and between entire societies.
In the context of war, a society may become unified in some ways, but conflict
still remains between multiple societies. On the other hand, war may also result
in the wholesale end of a society.
Conflict Theory Assumptions
Marx’s version of conflict theory focused on the conflict between two primary
classes. Each class consists of a group of people bound by mutual interests and a
certain degree of property ownership. Marx theorized about the bourgeoisie, a
group that represented members of society who hold the majority of the wealth
and means. The proletariat is the other group: It includes those considered
working-class or poor.
With the rise of capitalism, Marx theorized that the bourgeoisie, a minority
within the population, would use their influence to oppress the proletariat, the
majority class.
Rational Choice Theory
Philosopher Adam Smith is the originator of rational choice theory. He
expressed that individuals are in control of their decisions. They do not
make choices because of unconscious drives, tradition or environmental
influences. They use rational considerations to weigh consequences and
potential benefits.
It is an important concept because it helps explain how individuals make
decisions. According to the definition of rational choice theory, every choice
that is made is completed by first considering the costs, risks and benefits
of making that decision. Choices that seem irrational to one person may
make perfect sense to another based on the individual’s desires.
Assumptions of rational choice theory
In order to fit the criteria for rational choice theory, the following assumptions
are made;
1. All actions are rational and are made due to considering costs and rewards.
2. The reward of a relationship or action must outweigh the cost for the action
to be completed.
3. Individuals will use the resources at their disposal to optimize their rewards.
Applications of rational choice theory
1. Economics and business
Rational choice theory can explain individual purchasing behaviors.
2. Politics
Rational choice theory can be used to explain voting behaviors, the actions of
politicians and how political issues are handled.
3. Sociology
Rational choice theory can explain social phenomena. This is because all social
change and institutions occur because of individual actions.
Applications of rational choice theory
Cont. …
4. Community development workers create a better relationship between
themselves and their clients, by positioning their work in a way that benefits the
client.
5. Community development workers Promote interventions and create
treatments that their clients will want to engage in because they see the
benefits.
6. Community development workers position resources so that clients
understand how those resources will benefit them.
Strengths Of Rational Choice Theory
1. Rational choice theory can be helpful in understanding individual and
collective behaviors. It helps to pinpoint why people, groups and society as a
whole move toward certain choices, based on specific costs and rewards.
2. Rational choice theory also helps to explain seemingly “irrational” behavior.
Because rational choice theory states that all behavior is rational, any type of
action can be examined for underlying rational motivations. Rational choice
theory can promote inquiry and understanding, helping differing parties, like a
client and a therapist, to recognize the other’s rationale.
WEAKNESSES OF RATIONAL CHOICE THEORY

1. A limitation of rational choice theory is that it focuses on individual action.

While one could say that individual action drives large social structures, some
rational choice theory critics argue the theory is too limited in its explanation.

2. Another weakness of rational choice theory is that it doesn’t account for

intuitive reasoning or instinct. For decisions that must be made in an instant,
such as decisions that influence survival, there may not be time to weigh the
costs and benefits
Criticism of Rational Choice Theory

1. Rational choice theory is that it does not account for non-self-serving behavior,
such as philanthropy or helping others when there is a cost but no reward to the
individual. Rational choice theory also does not take into consideration how
ethics and values might influence decisions.
2. Rational choice theory doesn’t comment on the influence of social norms. An
argument against rational choice theory is that most people follow social norms,
even when they’re not benefitting from adhering to them.
Social capital Theory
Social capital was first defined by Pierre Bourdieu in 1985, it is the networks of
relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling
that society to function effectively. It involves the effective functioning of social
groups through interpersonal relationships, a shared sense of identity, a shared
understanding, shared norms, shared values, trust, cooperation, and reciprocity.
Social capital is a measure of the value of resources, both tangible (e.g., public
spaces, private property) and intangible (e.g., actors, human capital, people), and
the impact that ideal creators have on the resources involved in each
relationship, and on larger groups. Some have described it as a form of capital
that produces public goods for a common purpose, although this does not align
with how it has been measured.
Social capital Theory Cont. …
Social capital is that set of resources essential 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.
Trust is part of everyday relationships. Most people trust that banks will not
steal their accounts or that when they purchase a kilo of meat from the grocery,
it will not actually weigh less. Life can be richer if there is trust among neighbors
and others in the public and private sectors.