Empowering Klong Khu Village: Leveraging Consultation Democracy and the Spirit of Community Culture for Pioneering Local Problem-Solving
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.sidebar##
##plugins.themes.bootstrap3.article.main##
Abstract
In the quest to empower Klong Khu Village, this participatory action research examines an engaging story of multisectoral engagement within the community, guided by the principles of consultation democracy. The study meticulously employed four potent instruments designed to foster consultative democracy throughout distinct stages of the process: 1) Public Meetings and Forums, 2) Citizen Surveys, 3) One-on-One Interviews, 4) Community Surveys and Mapping, 5) Capacity Building, and 6) Evaluation of Consultative Initiatives. The research adopted a comprehensive approach, utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data analyses to derive meaningful insights from the application of these dynamic tools. The findings illuminate the pressing issues confronting the community, primarily revolving around two core challenges: the rampant nocturnal motorcycle rides by adolescents, disregarding the safety of lives and property, and the vexing issue of drug-related problems. Interestingly, this research underscores the instrumental role of a robust community culture. It is the binding force that fosters consensus and cultivates active participation, not only among the residents but also with relevant agencies. Through this harmonious collaboration, sustainable solutions emerge, paving the way for the village to reclaim its vitality and spirit in pioneering consultative democracy for local problem-solving. This vibrant journey showcases the remarkable power of community culture as a catalyst for transformative change.
Keywords: Consultation Democracy, Community Culture, Community Problems
References
Arnstein, S. R. (1969). A Ladder of Citizen Participation. Journal of the American Planning Association, 35(4), 216-224. https://doi.org/10.1080/01944366908977225
Barth, F. (1969). Introduction. In F. Barth (Ed.), Ethnic Groups and Boundaries: The Social Organization of Culture Difference (pp. 9-38). Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press.
Burt, R. S. (2010). Neighbor Networks: Competitive Advantage Local and Personal. New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Cohen, A. P. (1985). Symbolic Construction of Community. London: Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203131688
Dryzek, J. S. (2002). Deliberative Democracy and Beyond: Liberals, Critics, Contestations. USA.: Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/019925043X.001.0001
Elster, J. (Ed.). (1998). Deliberative Democracy. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Fishkin, J. S. (1991). Democracy and Deliberation: New Directions for Democratic Reform. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press.
Fishkin, J. S. (2018). Democracy when the People are Thinking: Revitalizing our Politics Through Public Deliberation. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Gaventa, J. (2004). Towards Participatory Local Governance: Assessing the Transformative Possibilities. In S. Hickey, & G. Mohan (Eds.), Conference on Participation: From Tyranny to Transformation Manchester, 27-28 February 2003 (pp. 25-41). London: Zed Books.
Gutmann, A., & Thompson, D. F. (1996). Democracy and Disagreement. Ethics, 108(3), 607-610.
Habermas, J. (1996). Between Facts and Norms: Contributions to a Discourse Theory of Law and Democracy. Cambridge: The MIT Press.
Hannerz, U. (1996). Transnational Connections: Culture, People, Places. London: Routledge.
Mansbridge, J. (1999). Everyday Talk in the Deliberative System. In S. Macedo (Ed.), Deliberative Politics: Essays on Democracy and Disagreement (pp. 211-239). Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Niemeyer, S. (2011). The Emancipatory Effect of Deliberation: Empirical Lessons from Mini-Publics. Politics & Society, 39(1), 103-140. https://doi.org/10.1177/0032329210395000
Smith, G. (2005). Power Beyond the Ballot: 57 Democratic Innovations from Around the World. London: The Power Inquiry. Retrieved from https://gsdrc.org/document-library/power-beyond-the-ballot-57-democratic-innovations-from-around-the-world/