Introduction: Special Issue on Participation
Robert Mark Silverman, Guest Editor
Participation can be an elusive topic, since a truly democratic society entails diverse
forms of participation operating at the institutional, organizational, and individual levels.
Because of these characteristics, scholars and practitioners sometimes complain that
participatory models are boundless and cumbersome. Frustrations with participatory
models can lead to more circumscribed modes of decision-making and subsequent public
policy that fails to build consensus and address the needs of the most disenfranchised
groups in society. In essence, when a society routinely accepts limits on the scope of
participation, it runs the risk of encouraging what Alexis de Tocqueville referred to as a
“tyranny of the majority” and “soft despotism.” The field of community development fills
an important role in curbing these tendencies because community development scholars
and practitioners often set out to promote social change and greater social equity. A
spectrum of participatory techniques is often at the center of community development
work, and participation is a defining principle in the field. Based on this assumption, this
special issue sets out to survey ways in which participation is infused in contemporary
community development theory and practice.
This special issue would not have been completed without the support of a number of
colleagues. Foremost, I must acknowledge Ted Bradshaw’s role. At the onset of our initial
discussions of this project, Ted was enthusiastic about a special issue on participation, and
he offered continued encouragement throughout the development of this issue. When Ted
passed away, I was fortunate to have others to work with on this project. Annie Smiley,
the previous managing editor of the Journal, helped to keep this project on tract during
the transition brought about by Ted’s death. When Marilu Carter assumed the duties as
managing editor, she provided invaluable assistance and kept the Journal moving forward.
Anne Heinze Silvis, Ronald Hustedde, and Norman Walzer also played a critical role in
assisting Marilu through the Journal’s transition. Finally, I owe a debt of gratitude to John
Gruidl, the editor of CD Practice, for his willingness to collaborate on the development of
a practice section in this special issue. The issue includes the first jointly published article
with CD Practice, and it represents an important step toward providing the readers of the
Journal with a blend of theoretical, empirical, and practice-oriented content.
In addition to those affiliated with the Journal, a number of organizations and
individuals provided encouragement and material support for this special issue. My