Structures and Processes: The Political Economy of Community Development Corporations in Indianapolis

Abstract

"This dissertation examines the theoretical question of whether it is possible to construct an economic entity or organization with political considerations. The research examines the role of community development corporations (CDCs) in Center Township of Indianapolis. The CDCs claim to incorporate community political and community economic development activities within socially disorganized communities. The question addressed is: Can an organization do community economic, political and social activities? A political economy theoretical framework is used to explain the activities of CDCs, and comparative analysis is used to show similarities and dissimilarities among these organizations. The findings suggest that the community development corporations in Indianapolis have primarily focused on housing development and ignored other community development. However, a small number of these organizations have begun to focus beyond housing development to address other community economic development activities. Unfortunately, community political development activities are minimal, and if it is done, community social development has been left to multi-service centers and other social service agencies."