A3 Book section, Chapters in research books
Habits of contributing citizenship : Self-help groups in rural Tanzania (2020)

Kilonzo, R. G., Matunga, B. N., Chang’a, H. H., & Kontinen, T. (2020). Habits of contributing citizenship : Self-help groups in rural Tanzania. In K. Holma, & T. Kontinen (Eds.), Practices of Citizenship in East Africa : Perspectives from Philosophical Pragmatism (pp. 139-155). Routledge. Routledge Explorations in Development Studies. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429279171-10

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kilonzo, Rehema G.; Matunga, Benta N.; Chang’a, Haji H.; Kontinen, Tiina

Parent publication: Practices of Citizenship in East Africa : Perspectives from Philosophical Pragmatism

Parent publication editors: Holma, Katariina; Kontinen, Tiina

ISBN: 978-0-367-23296-2

eISBN: 978-0-429-27917-1

Journal or series: Routledge Explorations in Development Studies

Publication year: 2020

Pages range: 139-155

Number of pages in the book: 258

Publisher: Routledge

Place of Publication: Abingdon

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780429279171-10

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/72152

Abstract

The chapter examines self-help groups in rural Tanzania as practices in which citizenship habits are formed. Self-help groups are referred as locally organized groups established to address the needs and challenges of the members. From the point of view of pragmatism, self-help groups provide concrete examples of a specific form of associated life and of a general human activeness in addressing shared problems. Based on interviews and focus-group discussions conducted in Kondoa district with local self-help groups, the characteristics of these practices are analyzed through three themes: the kinds of shared problems the groups address, the governance of internal interaction of the groups, and the sorts of participants included. Based on our analysis, we suggest a habit of contributing citizenship emerging out of the participation in self-help groups.

Keywords: citizenship; civil society; participation; self-help groups; peer work; rural communities

Free keywords: Tanzania

Contributing organizations

Related projects

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2020

JUFO rating: 3