Managing the pitfalls of participatory development: Some insight from Australia

Authors

Robyn Eversole, Edith Cowan University

Document Type

Journal Article

Publisher

Pergamon

Faculty

Faculty of Regional Professional Studies

School

School of Regional Professional Studies CSESS

RAS ID

2475

Comments

Eversole, R. (2003). Managing the pitfalls of participatory development: some insight from Australia. World development, 31(5), 781-795. Available here

Abstract

The shift from top-down to participatory development models has given “local people” a voice, but in practice, real participation is often elusive. Reflecting on a series of development projects by and for indigenous Australians, this article probes the complexity of social relationships which underlie the apparently straightforward concept of participation. This paper argues for greater attention to “development relations”: the way that various actors in the development process relate to one another, and how these relationships directly influence project success. Key principles of power, motivation, legitimacy, and trust emerge to assist practitioners in understanding complex social relationships and managing the pitfalls of participatory development.

DOI

10.1016/S0305-750X(03)00018-4