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Democratic actions resulting from collective actions and decisions link the interests and judgments

of community members to the actions and decisions of the body politic (Cohen, 2007). The

promise of democracy is equality extended to members of the democratic collective.

Much literature that is too lengthy to list in a paragraph details the qualities of deliberative

democracy that render it distinct from traditional forms of democracy. In their appraisal of

deliberative democracy, the characteristics of collective dialogue, the development of consensus,

choice work, and consideration of the greater good is described essential. Cohen (2007) explained

that “deliberative democracy is to discipline collective power through the common reason of a

democratic public: democracy’s public reason” (p. 220). Deliberative democracy is distinct in that

reasoning allows participants to go beyond mere discussion to share personal experiences and

stories in a way that promotes the introduction of a variety of ideas and opinions (Cohen, 2007).

Applying ABCD Methodologies

Asset-based community development (ABCD) is a methodology for the sustainable

development of communities based on their strengths and potentials. It involves assessing the

resources, skills, and experience available in a community; organizing the community around

issues that move its members into action; and then determining and taking appropriate action.

(McKnight & Kretzmann, 1996) This method uses the community's own assets and resources as

the basis for development; it empowers the people of the community by encouraging them to

utilize what they already possess. (Mathie, Cameron, & Gibson, 2017) The ABCD approach was

developed by John L. McKnight and John P. Kretzmann at the Institute for Policy Research at

Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. They co-authored a book in 1993, Building

Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and Mobilizing A Community’s Assets,

(Kretzmann & McKnight, 1993) which outlined their asset-based approach to community

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