International Journal of Political Science and Development
 

International Journal of Political Science and Development

Vol. 6(7), pp. 235–248, October, 2018. 

DOI: 10.14662/IJPSD2018.053

ISSN: 2360-784X

Research Paper

Assessing Factors Affecting Civic Participation in Community Development: The Case of Selected Woredas In Ilu Aba Bor Zone,Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.

Bijiga Emiru, Lamessa Muleta and Sagni Haile

Lecturers at Mettu University, Faculty of Social Science and Humanities, Department of Civics and Ethical Studies

Mettu, Ethiopia. E-mail: lamessamuleta@gmail.com  phone; +251 919531105

Accepted 26 October 2018

This study has attempted to assess factors affecting civic participation in community development the case of selected woredas in Ilu Aba Bor zone of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Popular participation can recognize through active involvement and organization of people at community level. The community poor, illiterate and other marginalized groups have not actively participated in decision-making and sharing the benefits from the huge development efforts, neither in proportion to their wishes. After 1991, the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia government adopted a people-centered developmental approach in order to achieve peace, development and democracy. Various authors agreed that participation of people in the system which governs their lives is a basic human right and essential for relocation of political power in favor of disadvantaged groups and for social and economic development. Yet,   particularly in the study area, inhabitant participation has developed into an ideology rather than a practical mechanism to promote participation by people and to improve local governance. Popular participation is an idea that is often mentioned in community development view. To addresses the purpose of the study descriptive research design was adopted. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed in which data was gathered through questionnaires with sampled respondents and interviews with key informant and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were used SPSS and presented with the use of tables, bar graph, pie-charts, frequency tables, verbal explanations and percentages whereas qualitative data was analyzed and presented through description contextually. The study was comprised of five hundred three (503) respondents. Purposive, multi stage and simple random sampling methods were employed. The finding of the study identified lack of understanding as their participation has value in community development; gender biased; low income; outdated attitude; traditional view of people against modern or developed attitudes; opposition and resistance of change; top down approach; lack of community education and  awareness; conflict between community leaders and community members; lack of trust in community leaders; lack of conducive institution that capacitated to participate fully in development processes; and illiteracy were mentioned as factors that undermine the participation in community development. It was therefore concluded that adhering and encouraging whole community members contribute positively towards community participation in development.  Finally, the researchers recommended actors of development (individuals, households, communities’ government, NGOs, civil society organizations and private companies should work actively to cope up factors affecting civic participation in community development of the study area.

Key words: Participation, civic participation, development, community, community development

Cite This Article As: Bijiga, E., Lamessa, M., Sagni, H. (2018). Assessing Factors Affecting Civic Participation in Community Development: The Case of Selected WoredasIn Ilu Aba Bor Zone,Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Int. J. Polit. Sci. Develop. 6(7) 235-248