Grassroots

Is a person's participation in \"grass roots\" efforts initially influenced by individual factors, and later solidified by moral, communal, or familial foundations? Or, is it the other way around? First, let's take a look at one definition of the word grassroots. According to a most simplistic source, Wikipedia, grassroots is defined as:

-a movement (often referenced in the context of a political movement) which is driven by the politics of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it are natural and spontaneous.

Because most grassroots movements at the local or community levels generally take place in urban communities, participants in movements are often associated by other acquaintances. Volunteers are often friends and family members of the organizers, and as a result of closeness (emotional) and proximity (physical) make an honest commitment to get involved.

At the same time, many of the ideologies and beliefs of the movement become instilled in the participants involved in efforts at the community level, thus influencing the values and morals of the participants and the group. Organizations that hold as its mission to benefit the whole of society, while adding value to the individual, often function as a family within a community in which its members share similar or the same morals. For example, when many volunteers (friends, family, and associates) in the community give of their time, energy, and skills to support a local political candidate or party, the outcomes can be very desirable. These actions can then contribute to the success of the national party. In other words, a grassroots movement can lead to increased voter registration, exposure for a political party or candidate, which in turn helps both local and national parties.

My opinion is that grassroots are instilled through a combination of moral, communal, and familial influences. As human development is the process of weaving both operant and classical conditioning, so is the developmental process of \"grass roots\".