Community Development at the Crossroads: a way forward

Abstract

This article considers the resurgence within recent policy debates of community development as one of the most effective intervention strategies both for purposes of social legitimation and effective service delivery. It locates this new found prominence within the overall restructuring of social welfare dominated by market oriented philosophies. The article considers a range of explanations for this growing popularity and examines the contribution of occupational networks in promoting community development’s effectiveness across both a range of services and in respect of local governance. Finally. whilst highlighting what we see as some of the shortcomings in the current debates, we explore the possibilities for a progressive practice that goes beyond the politics of welfare.