Restrictive effects of tradition-bound community decision-making

In many small communities in the Global South, the methods of local decision-making depend heavily on traditional paternalistic patterns which frequently inhibit local development. Occasions that enable all the residents to express concern for the village's future seldom arise; there may be no facilities which enable the gathering of the whole community. The limited roles of informal leadership allow few opportunities to develop the methodological expertise which would realize its full potential. Strong individualism fostered by subsistence living acts against community cohesiveness; and an attitude of waiting for "them" to take care of us prevents significant undertakings being planned or actualized.