Structuring People: The Myth of Participation and the Organisation of Civil Society in Development

Participation in development interventions is an institutionalised expectation that organisations should empower local beneficiaries and achieve programme goals. However, local administrations often implement participatory forums superficially, marginalising them in local administrative processes. The book provides a thick description of the organisationality of participation, showing it to be a form of partial organisation that establishes an order in the relationship between administrations and citizens.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 254 pages
Publication date: 10 December 2021
Publisher: Springer Fachmedien Wiesbaden

Participation has emerged as a prevailing norm in the realm of development, assuming a pivotal role in projects and programs. This comprehensive book delves into the examination of participation in development interventions as an institutionalized expectation, often perceived as a rationalized myth. It explores how organizations across various government tiers handle this phenomenon. At least two distinct objectives of participation are deemed appropriate and legitimate for international organizations in this field: empowering local beneficiaries and achieving programmatic goals. Both approaches incorporate participatory forums as an integral part of their development interventions. However, local administrations respond to this institutionalized expectation by engaging in means-ends decoupling, where participatory forums are implemented superficially but effectively remain marginalized in local administrative processes and activities.

Furthermore, the book offers a detailed account of the organizational nature of participation in development interventions. Participatory forums are revealed as a form of partial organization, establishing an order in the relationship between administrations and citizens through the introduction of rules and the creation of a defined membership. This order, while initially perceived as robust, is found to be fragile and open to criticism and negotiation.

In conclusion, this book provides a valuable exploration of participation in development interventions, shedding light on its prevalence, objectives, and organizational aspects. It challenges the notion of participation as a mere expectation and highlights the complexities and challenges associated with its implementation. By examining the dynamics between governments, organizations, and citizens, the book contributes to our understanding of development processes and offers insights into strategies for more effective and inclusive participation in the field.

Weight: 363g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783658359027
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021