In what ways could it be said that community is exclusive and if so, in what ways could it be encouraged to be inclusive?

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University Degree Social studies

IN WHAT WAYS COULD IT BE SAID THAT COMMUNITY IS EXCLUSIVE AND IF SO, IN WHAT WAYS COULD IT BE ENCOURAGED TO BE INCLUSIVE?

The object of this essay is to explain the origins of the concept of community.  Also, how the major changes in social life, particularly following the industrial revolution, prompted Philosophers, Sociologists, and Anthropologists to reach a greater understanding of the behavioural patterns of the people of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.  An explanation of the development of Sociologist's typologies will be provided, together with a description of Ferdinand Tonnies' Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft typology.  A definition of the word community will be explored and examples of its use will be provided.

Furthermore, examples of exclusive communities will be discussed, with particular reference to the ethnic minority and white communities of Bradford, Burnley and Oldham.  Details of the violent community disorders which occurred within these areas during the early summer of 2001 will be presented.  Information on the investigations and reports which followed these occurrences will be provided, together with details of the themes, proposals and recommendations put forward by the various bodies involved in encouraging communities to be more inclusive.

Sociologists have been interested in the concept of community since the discipline of sociology was established in the 1830’s.[1]  Auguste Comte (1798-1857), a French philosopher, first used the term 'Sociology' when he wished to establish a ‘science of society’ that would help reveal the social laws, which he believed controlled development and change. [1] From the nineteenth century onwards, people developed a greater awareness of the need to understand the consequences of changes in society, particularly the major changes in social life as a result of political revolutions and the Industrial Revolution. [1]  

The Industrial Revolution created the social framework of modern society, which can be summarised by three main factors: the massive population explosion, although mainly due to the decline in the death rate, the huge development of factory oriented manufacturing and the establishment of mills, foundries and mines, and the rapid growth of urban settlement.[7]

As an example of the huge development of working opportunities for men, women and children, in Manchester in 1782 there were only two mills, however, by the end of the century there were fifty-two mills, twenty-four iron foundries and thirty-seven machine workshops.[7]

In the first half of the nineteenth century the migration of labour more than doubled, trebled or quadrupled the populations of many towns and cities. Manchester’s population during this period rose from 90,000 to 400,000. [7]

In an attempt to understand the dramatic changes in behavioural patterns of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, some of the early social thinkers developed ideal type, or model societies. These ideal types highlight distinctive features and reflect the basic 'idea' of what is being described.  These typologies have been used as analytical tools and have enabled comparisons over time to be distinguished. For example, the German sociologist and political scientist, Ferdinand Tonnies (1855 – 1936), who was a major contributor to theory and field studies in sociology, established a contrasting sociological distinction between two types of social groups.[3] However, Tonnies believed that characteristics from both types could exist within any one of the types.  He made his distinctions between an older form of spontaneous community, based on mutual aid and trust, and a modern kind of society in which self-interest predominates.[4]

Firstly, he used an ideal type based on Gemeinschaft, a German word which translates as ‘Community’.  Tonnies describes pre-industrial societies and rural villages as Gemeinschaft society types.  These societies he viewed as being bound by intimate ties and mutually dependent.  Bonds being based on kinship, and a close knit society in which members know each other and in which relationships were based upon face to face encounters.  In addition there was a sense of togetherness and group solidarity.  He summarises typical Gemeinschaft characteristics as follows :[1][5][6]

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  • Intimate
  • Enduring
  • Personal
  • Based on ascribed status
  • Based in a homogeneous culture
  • Enforced by moral custodians (e.g. Church, family)
  • Upheld by traditional values

Secondly, and in contrast to Gemeinschaft, Tonnies used an ideal type based on Gesellschaft, a German word which translates as ‘Society – Association’.  Tonnies describes large scale and complex industrial societies as Gesellschaft society types.  These societies he viewed as being social organisations in which people had weak social ties and in which their relationships were based on need and considerable self interest.  These relationships were usually temporary and impersonal. He summarises typical ...

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In what ways could it be said that community is exclusive and if so, in what ways could it be encouraged to be inclusive?
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