Channels: Cooperation and Collective action Community rules

The four communities have their own community rules, setting norms of behaviour.

Community rules provide boundaries which will affect the outcomes of the upgrading process, by setting the norms and values which the community should try and uphold. Once the goal of new houses is achieved, guidelines need to be provided to ensure the cooperation of members. Rules therefore institutionalise community behaviour and provide a framework for action. As Ostrom notes, though social capital is “embedded in common understanding”, this common understanding can easily be eroded unless “substantial efforts are devoted to … monitoring behaviour in conformance with common understandings, and sanctioning behaviour”, for example by creating institutions such as rules (2000:179). However, none of the case study communities display their rules, for example, on the community notice boards, perhaps because the rules are in fact norms of neighbourliness. Akin found that the community he studied had “certain rules of conduct, never articulated but shared by all”

(1975:156). Box 5.2 outlines Klong Toey 7-12’s rules, which are similar to those in other communities.

Box 5.2: Klong Toey 7-12 community rules

The community rules of Klong Toey 7-12 have been drawn up in order to facilitate communal living and to promote participation (2548:32):

1. Protect your family from drugs

2. Don’t leave belongings on the communal footpaths 3. Act as security guards (community members rotate) 4. Manage garbage areas

5. Keep the front of your house attractive for example by planting trees, collect rubbish, fix paths, clean areas

6. Participate in community activities (monthly meetings) and activities for important days

7. The cooperative model:

a. changing rights: in the event of death, the holder of a right can give it to someone who will benefit

b. selling rights: must sell it back to the cooperative (extended family of existing members can buy it from the cooperative, with the cooperative having the right to decide)

8. Turn on lights outside houses to illuminate the area outside your house 9. Look after the cleanliness of your pets

10. Be careful when driving and keep noise down.

Klong Toey 7-12’s rules highlight that the environment, drugs, safety, and the transfer of housing rights, are issues for which behaviour needs to be defined. Rules set out boundaries, providing a mark from which residents can take action if norms are not kept to, thus promoting accountability amongst residents. However, this raises the question of what happens if rules are broken, and how they can be enforced, especially as the acting community leaders have not been officially elected in Klong Toey, as is discussed in Chapter 6. Bowles and Gintis state that “an effective community monitors the behaviour of its members”, and does so using the norms and values fostered by social capital, such as trust, solidarity, pride, and reciprocity (2002:F424). These norms should mean that a community with higher levels of trust need not have recourse to following written rules except in the case of serious disputes which require mediating by a neutral party. Communities are capable of self-governance, through participation, transparency, and accountability.

Community Events

An essential part of maintaining social cohesion in the communities is the holding of collective community events. Religious institutions are the most “pervasive kind of civil society institution in low-income communities” (Saergert, Thompson and Warren 2001:10), and Thai celebrations often involve Buddhist merit-making ceremonies which bring together all community residents. Communities usually hold parties for special holidays such as New

Year’s Eve, Children’s Day, Thai New Year and Father’s Day, and community clean-up days.

These occasions bring community members together, and often require collective effort in preparing food, activities and prizes.

The author attended Children’s Day events in three of the four case study communities in January 2009. Klong Toey 7-12 opted not to host a community event, due to the financial burden it would impose on residents; many children attended a party at the Duang Prateep Foundation kindergarten. This demonstrates the community’s reliance on charitable organisations, of which there are many in Klong Toey, rather than collective action. As Children’s Day was the day before BMA elections, many district offices were not able to participate in the festivities.

In Bonkai, morning activities were scheduled for children at the day care centre. As the community had not received sponsorship from the district, due to upcoming BMA elections, the event remained small, though the CPB provided a gift for each child. Additionally, the community had already organised a merit-making ceremony (Figure 5.3) and party for New Year’s Eve. This ceremony was attended by representatives of the police, the district office, and the chief of Pathumwan district. These special guests each made a speech, with the district chief encouraging community unity, saying “the cooperative and community leaders are strong, in last few years, many good things have happened to your community. If people give their participation, the work of leaders is easier.” Additionally, she emphasised that the whole community would have to undertake Baan Mankong eventually, referring to the slum section.

In Ruam Samakee, a tent and stage had been installed in the outdoor sports area, with organised games and prizes for winners. Every child received a gift from the district and the CPB. There was free food and a party that extended into the night. Parents gathered outside their houses as they watched their children.

Figure 5.3: Merit-making in Bonkai

In Bang Bua, everything was provided and funded by the community, using the 5000B monthly budget allocated by the district. This self-reliance was a source of great pride for the community leaders, and reflects a desire to be independent from outside assistance. The committee had prepared lunch for all community residents, and purchased gifts for the children. The party was held in the garden and ground floor of the community centre.

Additionally, another community resident organised a children’s day party for the evening.

This resident had won the lottery and often contributes to community activities.

Community events such as the children’s day celebrations are an essential part of maintaining community spirit, by bringing together the community residents in the same place for celebrations. As the community leader of Charlernchai Nimitmai community said, children can act as a bridge to bring together adults, who may otherwise not know each other or disagree with each other over certain issues. Additionally, community events promote community spirit as households may be required to contribute food, crockery, or clean up. It can also be an opportunity to develop a sense of responsibility among young residents. For example, in Klong Toey 7-12, the youth are encouraged to help wash up after celebrations.

Community celebrations promote togetherness and a sense of belonging, and encouraging everyone to contribute fosters norms of reciprocity.