A STRENGTHENED COMMUNITY: A NEW ALTERNATIVE TOWARDS POLITICAL DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

The use of Buddha Dhamma in developing and managing a strengthened community is the goal of development because it is the foundation of successes in all aspects. Buddha Dhamma principles have been focused because they are related to both individual and social interests while the local cultures, traditions and languages are being faded away in the globalization. A strengthened community management following the Buddhist way has been refocused for the awareness of the people in their duties in preserving it. The objective of this article is to present the conceptual framework of developing a strengthened community as a new alternative towards political development. Results of the study show that developing a strengthened community as a new alternative towards political development includes: 1) Concept and importance of a strengthened community; 2) Components of a strengthened community; 3) Strengthened community towards democratic principles; and 4) Chronological knowledge management with learning networks. The management of a strengthened community is, therefore, through the encouragement of a regular collective learning, sharing ideas and acting that links the priority in self-sufficiency of individuals before linking with the external society. There should be a knowledge management process that creates internal and external networks. This should also include the promotion of people’s mobilization in implementing activities for the benefit of the community through various forms of formal and informal community gathering according to their localities or interesting issues.