Our Community Models

Introduction

The early puritan settlers, the Pilgrims to America, suffered in a new land. Many communities did not survive. The Philadelphia model proved to be the most successful, but only in consideration of the planning process. Mistakes were made. Too many people came unprepared. Even as the communities went inland, millions died of starvation. Some too rigid in their thinking could not adapt to their new surroundings, to the new demands for new skills, and hence, many perished.

Many communities were established to escape religious persecution, others were established to keep their own perspective of religious purity. The Amish people, still maintain very strong family values, having resisted technological modernization to different degrees. These communities are not immune to the attacks from the world system they shun. Local authorities place extreme pressures upon these communities to change. They face pressures from their own people, also wanting modernization for themselves, some attracted to the easier life outside of their communities.

The Kibbutzim in Israel where established for three main reasons. Escaping persecution, and even the threat of anilhation; religious and/or a philosophical ideology. These communities embraced a form of communal socialism that went to the extremes. Children, in some communities belonged to the community as a whole, and not necessarily to their parents who brought them forth. Unlike the Amish communities, the Israeli kibbutzim embraced technological modernization. In some instances contributing towards the Information Technology advancements benefitting, nearly all the world. Yet, a few kibbutzim are also struggling for survival.

One of the more modern communities is the Woodlands near Houston, Texas. it was established as a dream of an oil man. Inti ally serving Houston itself, as a sleeper community, is has grown into a city in itself, with businesses, schools and some manufacturing processes. The organizers were able to secure 50 million dollars in government grants.

then all around America, particularly the costal States, have established retirement villages. one has to be over 55 years old, and have no children in some instances. Although there are a few areas designated for family units in a few of these retirement communities. These entities are mostly dependent upon people's savings of investments, including social security payouts, IRA's, bonds, and stock market shares. Mostly established around recreation and entertainment, the have not real infrastructure to be self-sustaining.

All around the world, even within the United States, particularly in the warmer areas, shanty or tent towns are established. Many are unemployed. Many are homeless, and the numbers falling off of the grid are ever increasing. Many of this shanty towns are as the old time ghettos, established in poverty and the accompanying squalor. With just a little planing, and determination, these communities can be presentable, and become a place where people can recover, to get back on their feet. Without being totally overcome by debt, that put them there, most often, in the first place.

In each community model there are both advantages and disadvantages. We can learn from past mistakes, and hopefully avoid duplicating them. We can also tap into past successes, and even go about improving them, where possible.