Doctoral Dissertation Research: The Impact of Associational Structure on Democratization in Poor Communities

SES：0623410PI(S)：Roberto P.Korzeniewicz Natasha Sacouman研究所：马里兰大学-学院公园在社会科学文献中，贫困社区的协会网络经常被描述为垂直和分层的。因此，根据这一解释，这些社区的人不太可能准备成为民主公民。这项研究考察了阿根廷贫困社区的参与情况，以挑战主流观点，即垂直型协会总是阻碍民主进程，而水平型协会总是促进民主化。该研究预测，“纵向”协会与“横向”协会具有相同的、甚至更多的民主潜力。这项研究试图增进对协会内部参与的影响以及垂直型协会在贫困社区民主化进程中发挥的作用的了解。更广泛的影响：这项研究对理解贫困社区的民主缺失问题具有影响。将对研究结果进行分析，以确定在贫困社区深化和扩大民主的做法。

SES: 0623410PI(s): Roberto P. Korzeniewicz Natasha SacoumanInstitution: University of Maryland-College ParkAssociational networks in poor communities often are described in the social science literature as being vertical and hierarchical. As a consequence, according to this line of this interpretation, people in these communities are less likely to be prepared to be democratic citizens. This study examines participation within a poor community in Argentina to challenge the predominant view that vertical-type associations always block democratic progress, and horizontal-type associations invariably foster democratization. The study predicts that "vertical" associations have the same, or even more, democratic potential as "horizontal" associations. This research seeks to advance understanding of the effect of participation within associations and the role that vertical-type associations play in democratization processes in poor communities. Broader Impacts: The research has implications for understanding issues of democratic deficits in poor communities. The findings of the research will be analyzed to identify practices that deepen and broaden democracy in poor communities.