The Community Development Reader ─ History, Themes and Issues

For students, activists, policy makers, teachers, and practitioners, Craig (community development and social justice, U. of Durham, UK) et al. present a collection of 28 readings from the past 50 years on community development. Organized chronologically, the readings highlight its theories, purposes, values, and practice during its evolution in the UK from the 1950s to the present. They include analytical and theoretical articles and case studies of practice and policy relating to the main debates of key time periods, including the relationship of community development to the state, the attempt to use it as a tool to manage urban deprivation and dissent, the parameters and boundaries of practice and related activities like self-help, and key changes that characterize its evolution. Some topics, such as the environment, arts and culture, rural communities, and the role of the Catholic Church, are excluded. Distributed in the US by ISBS. Annotation c2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)