Little Engines That Could: Community Clients, Their Lawyers, and Training in the Arts of Democracy

Abstract

This article examines the role of lawyers in developing the capacity of community-based organizational clients to participate meaningfully in civic decision-making processes as representatives of community interests. I review literature from organizing and planning disciplines on citizen participation, provide an overview of public and private sector attempts to engage community members in civic participation, and identify indicia of "representativeness" in ascertaining an organization's legitimacy in representing community interests.

Keywords: community development, community organizing, comprehensive community initiatives, advocacy planning