Drawing from the challenges associated
with the definition of the concept as well as
its implementation, one can appreciate
why community participation assumes
several postures and forms. To illustrate
the forms that community participation can
assume, Arnstein (1969) developed a
ladder of participation. The eight levels of
the ladder; manipulation, therapy,
informing, consultation, placation,
partnership, delegated power and citizen
control have been further categorized into
three groups namely; manipulative
participation, citizen tokenism and citizen
power. The central point in this typology
according to Marturano and Gosling
(2007) is the degree of power distribution,
which they describe as a representation of
variations of power and influence that can
exist. Manipulative participation does not
indicate participation in the true sense of
the word. Citizen tokenism indicates some
level of participation. The desired form is
citizen power which signifies true
participation. This is where participants
decide on issues that affect them and are
in full control over the implementation of
these decisions.