A community is a sociological construct with fuzzy boundaries that can exist within larger communities. The structure of a community includes different bases of power at the local level. Power is the capacity to influence decision-making and bring about change. The bases of local community power include connections with influential individuals, power in numbers through community support, the ability to provide rewards, personal traits and expertise, legitimate power through formal positions, control over information, and coercion.

2. ELEMENTS OF A
COMMUNITY
NATURE and POWER
STRUCTURE

3. Nature of a Community
• a community is asociologicalconstruct
• a communityhas fuzzyboundaries
• a communitycan exist within a larger community
• a community may move

4. A Communityis aSociologicalConstruct
• The concept of a community is not only a “construct” (model);
it is a sociological construct or a set of interactionsor human
behavioursthathave meaningand expectationbetweenits
members.

5. A CommunityhasFuzzy Boundaries
• It is the naturewhere the boundary of thecommunityis no
longer thatprecise.

6. A CommunityCan Exist within aLarger Community
• It is a community inside a larger community, including
districts, regions, ethnicgroups, and nations.There may be a
reason or other interactionsthatlinkthecommunitesof a
nation together.

7. A Community MayMove
• Whentechnology is not based on local horticulture, the
communityresidents may be physically mobile.

9. The Structure of a Community
• Power
• Bases of local community power
o Connections
o Power in number
o Rewards
o Personal traits/ expertise
o Legitimate power
o Information
o Coercion

10. Structure of a Community

11. Power
• It is the capacity toinfluence,decision-making,and
distribution processes, to bring about changeand get things
done.

12. Bases of Local Community
Power

13. Bases of Local CommunityPower Description
Connections It is the capacity to create linkages and develop helpful
relationships with powerful individuals, family, and
organizations.
Power innumber It is the base, back-up,and support of the people inthe
community.
Rewards It is the ability to provide awards, promotions, money,and
gifts that are useful to meet individuals or organizational
goals.
Personal traits/ Expertise Itis the capacity to foster respect and loyaltybased on
charm, talents, and skills.
Legitimate power It is the leadership title or higherorganizational or
institutional position.
Information It is the ability to share good information.
Coercion It is influencethroughmanipulation and coercion.