Social foundations of functioning and development of local communities
Social foundations of functioning and development of local communities

Summary/Abstract: The purpose of the article is an attempt to answer the question about the role of endogenoussocial resources in the functioning and development of local communities. The initial thesis of theanalyses undertaken in the article is included in the statement that such resources as subjectivity,participation and civic activity constitute the social foundation and functional requirement for theduration and development of local communities. In the scientific recognition of the subject matter,a method of analysing the literature was used. The scope of the study includes characteristics andanalyses of the subjectivity of local communities, participation at the local level and civic activity.The first part of the study shows the subjectivity of local communities as a function ofdecentralisation and development of local government. Attention was focused on a set ofphenomena, processes and factors of the sociological and political character – the integrated coexistence of which is an expression of subjectivity – by providing a real impact of the residentson the functioning and development of the local community. In the second part of the study, socialparticipation was analysed as a manifestation of decentralisation of public administration andan important element of local development programming. A multi-level system of cooperationbetween citizens and local authorities was presented, as well as rules determining the effectivenessof involvement and participation in the conditions of local government. It stressed the importanceof the local government as an institutional environment formation of the active participatory attitudetowards undertaking the activities within local communities for the implementation of their needsand self-development. The following part of the article focused on social civic activity as commonand conscious articulation, implementation and defence of the interests, needs and aspirations of thelocal community. Types, scope and manifestations of civic activity were presented, emphasising thepro-development and functional benefits of civic involvement.The analyses and descriptions provided in the article lead to the conclusion that the functioningand development of local communities are a bottom-up, integrated process of economic, political,social and cultural character. Their orientation and proper conduct are positively influenced byendogenous and social potential in the form of subjectivity, participation and civic activity. Asynthetic approach to the issue under scrutiny is the author’s model of social triple helix depictinginterdependencies and interpenetrations of the three spheres of influence – subjectivity, participationand civic activity within the functioning and the development of local community.

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