A political movement which overemphasizes the local community is likely to be counterproductive to progressive social changes. The growth and development of localism, contained in such concepts as community control and self-determination, can lead to intra-neigborhood political battles rather than to organization against wider social forces.…

Only the federal government has the power and resources to address the housing crisis. National policy should extend resources to grassroots groups which will design housing programs and policies according to local conditions. Important issues are: (1) preserving existing subsidized housing; (2) providing capital; (3) constructing affordable…

Flawed social policies have led to the high cost and the failure of human service institutions. The inclusion of local community associations in the creation of these policies would change the focus from control to consent thus allowing target populations to be supported within a more suitable context. (VM)

An examination of alternative models of community-based colleges, designed by minority groups as institutional efforts to foster cultural pluralism and social mobility without their own cultural identity being compromised. This approach is evaluated and contrasted with the development of various bicultural or bilingual programs in which the…

Asserts that community control is not an all-or-nothing situation, but that centralization can co-exist with decentralization. Argues for states to have the responsibility for insuring desegregation and equitable funding and for communities to have control of personnel, curriculum and budget priorities. (Author/AM)

Articulates profitable routes to institutional reform for people dissatisfied with the quality of social service provided by the institution of which they are part. Argues that the creation of cultural and institutional democracy requires recognition of clients as constituents, and some elements of participatory decision making, community control,…

Discusses both ideological and managerial precepts that came into play in the school decentralization struggle that took place in New York City in the 1970s. Describes the impact of decentralization on one poor, predominantly Black district. (GC)