ABSTRACT
This chapter describes some of the many ideas regarding large groups and problems encountered when attempting to use the large group or a community meeting as a therapeutic tool. It argues that many of those preconceptions are unnecessarily negative and have led to large groups being under-utilized especially as a therapeutic modality. The chapter also describes and develop a novel theory of community. This will lead to a set of ideas on the important functions of community as defined herein. The chapter explores practical ways in which the community function can be enabled, facilitated, and supported. The value placed on community varies from culture to culture. The beginning anthropologist encounters the “communitarian– individualism” dimension early on. The word “community” will be used often enough but attempts to raise community spirit are approached usually through managerial and political means. The social system can be regarded as a “troika” of Management, Political and Community concerns.
