Community control in a Gesellschaft world: A comment

Abstract

This comment discusses Nassi's analysis in terms of culture conflict as discussed by Earl Johnson (1977). Johnson's analysis, which examines gemeinschaft to gesellschaft societal changes resulting from industrialization provides a wholistic, evolutionary view of changing modes of community control. It is concluded that Johnson's analysis offers a more radical perspective than Nassi's because it deals not merely with power and economic relations, but also with fundamental values which transcend generations and singular societies.

(Em‐)powering Community Psychology Through an Examination of Social Power

“…She concluded that the meaning of community control had been “diluted” and glossed over important differences between community involvement, participation, and control . This analysis led to a six‐part commentary and critique, where some called her analysis too “radical” and “quixotic” (Dokecki, ), while others claimed it was not far‐reaching enough (Flaming, ; Kaswan, ), insisting that real power in community must be accompanied by societal value shifts (Flaming, ) or a redefinition of caregiver role relations (Kaswan, ). In this early debate within the field, notions of social power were defined, questioned, re‐examined, and re‐defined, providing a backdrop for the development of notions of empowerment useful to CP.…”