Neighbourhoods and Community Comparative Studies - Literature review Example

NEIGHBOURHOOD AND COMMUNITY COMPARATIVE STUDIES The context of the community and neighbourhoods is becoming an intriguing subject of study for many scholars today. Understanding the roles of the community in the neoliberalism era is critical because of the multiple changes of the economic policies, state responsibilities and the labour market as DeFillipis and his colleagues reveal. In addition, a salient need to analyse the social ties that define urban neighbourhoods is evident. Notably, the types of ties that thrive in urban neighbourhoods differ from those exhibited in the rural settings. The article by Bridge offers an informative literature review on the networks existing in urban neighbourhoods. ‘Neither Romance nor Regulation- Reevaluation of the Community’ This article authored by DeFillipis and his colleagues handles a critical aspect of reconsidering the significance of the community in the contemporary setting. Evidently, this article serves to place emphasis on the attention the community has received from different scholars. This article undertakes an in-depth analysis of the relevance of the community in the contemporary setting where many nations in the globe have adopted the neoliberalism ideology. Neoliberalism has contributed immensely new roles of the state, and altered the hierarchy of public service provision (DeFillipis, Fischer, and Schrage 2006, p. 686). This has served to introduce a critical significance of the concerted efforts of communities and collaborations with the private sector. Evidently, the globe is moving towards a restructured market and economic policies as the authors explain, factors that have altered the functions of community efforts. The authors place focus on the romanticized view of communitarianism, as well as two types of sceptical and critical views highlighted by different theorists and scholars. After such analysis of the views exhibited by different scholars, the article reveals certain progressive promoters. This article authored by DeFillipis and his colleagues handles a critical aspect of reconsidering the significance of the community in the contemporary setting. Evidently, this article serves to place emphasis on the attention the community has received from different scholars. This article undertakes an in-depth analysis of the relevance of the community in the contemporary setting where many nations in the globe have adopted the neoliberalism ideology. Neoliberalism has contributed immensely new roles of the state, and altered the hierarchy of public service provision. This has served to introduce a critical significance of the concerted efforts of communities and collaborations with the private sector. Evidently, the globe is moving towards a restructured market and economic policies as the authors explain, factors that have altered the functions of community efforts. The authors place focus on the romanticized view of communitarianism, as well as two types of sceptical and critical views highlighted by different theorists and scholars (DeFillipis, Fischer, and Schrage 2006, p. 683). After such analysis of the views exhibited by different scholars, the article reveals certain progressive promoters. From this article, it is evident perception of ‘community’ has changed with the adoption of neoliberalism. However, many authors have sought to explain the emerging role. As the authors of this article reveal, some authors have adopted a romanticized view of the community, while ignoring the salient social and political problems that define communitarianism. Many of the supporters of this romantic view have defined the changing roles of men and women in the transformed labour force (Veltmeye & O'Malley 2007, p. 56). Community volunteer efforts are minimal because of the increasing need for people to work. DeFillipis and his colleagues also reveal the Marxist regulation view adopted by a different set of scholars (DeFillipis, Fischer, and Schrage 2006, p. 682). These scholars opine that community organizations are an undeniable critical part of the societal transformation. The last view outlined is that of a group of authors who feel that community has served to oppress some individuals who do not possess a measure of similarities to other members of the community. Evidently, each of these views has its drawbacks, but is critical in the re-evaluation of the community in the neoliberalism era. ‘Neighbourhoods and Social Networks’ This article-authored Gary Bridge is a critical analysis of the social networks that exist in different neighbourhoods. With the emerging of the meaning of neighbourhood in the urban areas, the author chose to place his focus on describing the social networks that exist in different urban neighbourhoods. The article reveals the difference between the multiple-stranded social ties in the rural setting and the emerging ties defining the urban areas. The article makes it evident that the authors have highlighted ideas that define social ties in the urban areas. Other authors have highlighted that social networks are an aspect of some urban neighbourhoods, with the neighbourhood having the potential to influence the types of networks that exist (Bridge 2002, p. 6). Moreover, the article discusses the findings of a diverse range of surveys that have been carried out to determine the types of social ties in different urban centres. The author presents an analysis of the findings of such studies, using them as the basis to develop ideas about neighbourhoods and social networks. From the lengthy discussion, provided in different subsections, it becomes evident that different neighbourhoods have varying types of social ties (Read & Read 2012, p. 67). Evidently, each neighbourhood has certain factors that determine the social ties that exist. Whereas there are neighbourhoods that have developed social ties that exhibit a high density, others exhibit loose and single-stranded social ties. Factors such as the social capital, income, distance, and relations determine the type of ties that exist. Notably, neighbourhoods still have the significance of identity and security. However, the contemporary world and the advances in the use of mobile phones and the internet have led to the creation of ties irrespective of the distance. This has altered previous trends of limitations by distance (Bridge 2002, p. 16). Criteria of Comparison of the Articles For a rigorous comparison of the articles, it is essential to define the criteria that will serve as guidelines to the comparison. One of the criteria will seek to determine whether the articles exhibit a clear account of the material presented. Further assessment will consider the logic and coherence of the structure in each article. Other aspects of consideration will involve the format of each article and the efficiency of referencing. Clarity of the Account In the work on a reconsideration of the community by DeFillipis and his colleagues, a clear account of the material is evident. The article offers an effective introduction that serves to highlight the significance of communitarianism in the contemporary neoliberalism setting. The article focuses on three critical perspectives that have formed the core concepts of different authors. The ideas presented have been explained adequately, a factor that allows readers to understand the account. Although the perspectives regarding the community appear complex because of the linked ideologies, the authors strived to make the content understandable. The account becomes clear as the authors link up the different perspectives in the conclusions (DeFillipis, Fischer, and Schrage 2006, p. 686). This makes it easier for readers to establish the significance of the text, and realize the need for advanced studies in understanding the community. The article is a detailed literature review, which offers an exemplary highlight of the available perspectives of the community. On the other hand, the article titled is a literature review that offers a detailed and clear account of the available data concerning different neighbourhoods and the social ties that define them. The article focuses on urban neighbours, and offers valid reasons for the choice of these neighbourhoods. The author then embarks on highlighting the types if ties that exist, the factors that determine them, and the prevalence in different neighbourhoods. All the main points highlighted are backed up by previous surveys or studies conducted in different regions. The article is scholarly, but uses language that makes the ideas clearer. Although the article is lengthy, the author presents a clear account, linking up ideas and explaining the findings quoted in the text (Bridge 2002, p. 9). Logical and Coherent Structure DeFillipis and his colleagues embarked on an exercise of using the available literature to re-evaluate the community in the contemporary setting. Evidently, the article has an introduction that defines the scope of the article’s re-evaluation. It also highlights the different perspectives exhibited by different authors in defining the emerging role and context of the community in the neoliberalism era. The authors offer a logical and coherent structure of the article because they introduce the research problem in the introduction, and then strive to build the different perspectives in the body. In a bid to exhibit coherence, all the perspectives conform to the context defined at the onset. The views of authors mentioned in the article are described, and serve to elaborate the context of the entire article (DeFillipis, Fischer, and Schrage 2006, p. 687). The communication of ideas and use of language in the paper is exemplary, and these serve to enhance the coherence. At the conclusion, the authors offer a recap of the ideas discussed, and highlight bows the ideas discussed will serve as a critical basis of future concepts in understanding the role of the community in the modern world. On the other hand, the article on social ties by Bridge also exhibits a coherent and logical structure. Although the article is lengthy, the author provides subsection of the paper that serve to give the reader an idea of the ideas discussed. The introduction highlights the research question and offers a justification of the relevance of resolving the question. Moreover, the scope is clear because the author highlights that the literature review will comprise of surveys from different areas, and that the selected surveys are those describing social networks in urban areas. This serves to equip the reader with a clear perspective of the arguments presented in the paper. Throughout the paper, coherence and logic in the ideas and findings discussed are evident. Although the paper offers a diverse range of ideas from varying literature, the article does not lose its coherence in the middle; rather, ideas build each other towards a conclusive end (Bridge 2002, p. 15). A recap of the concepts described is available at the conclusion. Format/Presentation Many readers find displeasure in reading any academic piece that lacks subheadings because it becomes difficult to identify the major ideas presented in the paper. DeFillipis and his colleagues have succeeded in offering work that has subheadings. Under each subheading, the reader can deduce the main idea that the authors sought to highlight (DeFillipis, Fischer, and Schrage 2006, p. 688). For each of the perspectives of understanding the community, the article has a subheading for it. Moreover, the introduction and the conclusion are additional aspects of a good presentation. Readers of the article can easily identify the content by considering the different subheadings. Bridge makes use of subheadings to make the article appealing to the readers. For an overview, the reader can recognize the ideas of significance from the table of contents. Moreover, under each heading, the author separates ideas, making it easier for readers to grasp them. The effective use of headings makes the lengthy work of the author easily readable (Bridge 2002, p. 6). Moreover, perusing through the paper can give the reader an informed glimpse of the contents. Referencing DeFillipis and his colleagues made an effort of referencing their work. Evidently, the article reviewed existing literature, and presenting ideas of other authors in their work required recognition of their academic contribution. All the ideas described in the article have been cited effectively, a factor that makes the work scholarly. There is evidence that the authors have interacted with the sources used thoroughly because of the manner in which different sources are explained in the work. Moreover, the authors have provided a reference list in the last page of the work (DeFillipis, Fischer, and Schrage 2006, p. 686). Similarly, Bridge made effective use of references in the article on neighbourhoods and social networks. The extensive literature review relies on previous academic work to develop its concepts. The author has accorded the rightful credit to the authors, as they deserve. Moreover, the interpretation of the findings in previous works reveals that the author had interacted with the sources as expected. At the end of the paper, the author has presented a list of all the sources. Conclusion Both articles are literature reviews that rely on previous published works to develop concepts. Evidently, both articles discuss related issues concerning communities. However, each author addresses a different research problem. DeFillipis and his colleagues defined the different perspectives of communitarianism in the neoliberalism era. On the other hand, Bridge, discusses the type of social networks in urban neighbourhoods. Whereas DeFillipis and his colleagues relied on theoretical models described by other authors to explain concepts, Bridge concentrated on surveys. Both articles exhibit good sue of headings and references, and prove to be coherent. Evidently, the main ideas discussed in the articles are as summarized above. Bibliography Bridge, G 2002,’ Neighbourhoods and Social Networks’: CNR, Paper 4, viewed on 8th February 2014. DeFillipis, J, Fischer, R, Schrage, E 2006, ‘Neither Romance nor Regulation-Reevaluating the Community’: International Journal of Urban and Regional Research, 30, 3, pp.673-689. Read, B, & Read, BL 2012, Roots of the state neighborhood organization and social networks in Beijing and Taipei, Palo Alto, Stanford University Press. http://public.eblib.com/EBLPublic/PublicView.do?ptiID=868333. Veltmeyer, H, & O'Malley, A 2007, Transcending neoliberalism: community-based development in Latin America, Bloomfield, CT, Kumarian Press. Read More