Deliberative Democracy and the Learning Process for the Coexistence of Local Community and Industry in the Case of Islamic Community in Map Ta Phut Subdistrict, Mueang District, Rayong Province

Abstract

               This research study aims to analyze the factors influencing the creation of community innovation for coexistence between communities and industrial factories. It also examines the role of community innovation in fostering coexistence processes between communities and industrial factories. The conceptual framework used to understand this social phenomenon is the concept of deliberative democracy. The research methodology employed qualitative methods, collecting data from documents and interviews and triangulating the information. The findings revealed that within the context of Islamic communities, deliberative democracy emerges from interactions among four types of capital: (1) Economic Capital: This attracts stakeholders to interact in order to protect and maintain economic benefits. (2)Social Capital: This links social relationships among stakeholders. (3) Symbolic Capital: This encourages industrial entrepreneurs to participate. (4) Environmental Capital: This drives all stakeholders to recognize and address issues. The mechanism of deliberative democracy demonstrates power and capabilities in creating coexistence processes between communities and industrial factories in four dimensions: (1) It serves as a communication space between stakeholders and industrial development in Islamic communities where no one owns or leads. (2) It acts as a tool to strengthen the power of both local communities and industrial factories. (3) It serves as a tool for genuine participation in development. (4) It serves as a learning space between local communities and industrial factories. However, the process of deliberative democracy has several weaknesses and limitations: (1) Participants (community representatives) are often specific network leaders. (2) It is limited to one Islamic community, while there are up to 38 communities established in the Map Ta Phut Municipality. (3) Development projects resulting from consultations do not lead to structural changes. (4) The consultation process is bilateral. (5) The driving force often comes from personal relationships.