History has also shown that intervention by effective advocacy groups has been influential in the formulation of urban policy. Ironically, formal democratic government can be the forum in which non-governmental organizations become empowered. In this forum, both community organizations and formal government maintain a symbiotic relationship. Despite its shortcomings, policy formulated through formal, democratic government is still a valid and accountable form of decision-making. Government is the arena in which the balancing of demands of all constituents that compete for services and attention occurs.
Community organizations bring issues to the table for debate, discussion and validation.
In reality, community organizations include multiple constituency groups with different agendas. Government, through a complex political process, sorts through numerous issues, determines the validity of information and demands, makes trade-offs and compares issues against its own stated and informal policy agendas. However, it is equally important to address the limitations of community representation in this process. Community organizations articulate and channel issues through their own representatives. Often, NGOs operate democratically, electing leaders and acting with the explicit consent of their constituency.