Komunitet

Komunitet is a social group formed by individuals who share a geographic space, an interest, an identity, or a common circumstance. Members interact regularly and typically feel a sense of belonging and mutual obligation. The term is used across many languages to describe both geographic and nongeographic groups.

Common types include geographic communities (neighborhoods or towns), cultural or ethnic communities (sharing language and traditions), professional or hobby-based communities (open-source projects, medical associations), and online communities formed around platforms or causes. Diaspora communities connect people across borders through shared origin and culture. Community organizations may be formal, with governing bodies and bylaws, or informal networks based on voluntary participation.

Formation and governance: Communities form through repeated interaction, shared norms, and trust. Governance may take the form of committees, volunteer leadership, or representative councils. In public planning, community development seeks to empower residents to shape services and local improvements, often through participatory decision-making.

Functions and impact: Communities provide social support, exchange information, transmit culture and values, and enable collective action. They can contribute to social capital, resilience, and civic engagement. At the same time, communities can experience conflict, exclusion, or intolerance, and online communities may face moderation challenges and harassment.

In sociological and policy contexts, the concept of komunitet (community) is central to studying networks, social cohesion, and governance. It intersects with related ideas such as belonging, identity, social capital, and civil society.