Beyond political zoology: Community development, civil society, and strong democracy

This article is concerned with the future role of community development. It examines the relationship between community development, civil society, and strong democracy. In a globalized world, we argue that community development can be seen as an alternative to the dominance of neoliberal market-led development - an alternative based on principles of participative democracy, civic republicanism, and sustainable development. In this emerging scenario, we argue that community development is faced with a central choice. It can become part of Third Way politics through involvement in social partnership. Alternatively, it can become a social left, developing a distinctive political space where counter-publics can flourish. © 2006 Oxford University Press.