History of Community in Timeline

A community is a social unit defined by a shared, socially significant characteristic like location, norms, culture, or identity. Communities can exist in a physical space or virtually through online platforms. Strong relationships extending beyond family are crucial, shaping individuals' identities and roles in social institutions like family, work, or government. While often small, "community" can also encompass larger affiliations, such as national or virtual groups, highlighting the diverse scales and forms that communities can take.

1986: McMillan and Chavis identify four elements of "sense of community"

In 1986, McMillan and Chavis identified four key elements that constitute a 'sense of community'.

1987: Scott Peck argues community can be consciously built

In 1987, Scott Peck, in his book 'The Different Drum: Community-Making and Peace', argued that the sense of community can be consciously built through deliberate design and application of certain rules, progressing through four stages.

The Different Drum: Community Making and Peace (New Hope for Humankind)

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1991: Peck remarks on the difficulty of maintaining community in the modern world

In 1991, M. Scott Peck noted that while building a sense of community is relatively easy, maintaining it proves to be difficult in the modern world.

2001: Pew Internet Survey on Virtual Communities

In 2001, a survey by Pew Internet and The American Life Project found that members of entertainment, professional, and sports virtual groups primarily focus on obtaining information. Virtual communities also value knowledge and information as a social resource.