Do participatory processes open a political space to marginalized groups and individuals? Or do they co-opt and coerce groups to reinforce existing inequitable relations? In an innovative comparative study which breaks with tradition this book explores these questions by looking at Malawi and Ireland.

'Original and insightful, this book uses comparison between two distinct contexts of the global North and South to very productive effect. The book probes the assumptions around participation and partnership which drove development discourse and practice in the pre-crisis epoch of neoliberal globalisation in order to question both. The outcome is an empirically grounded but conceptually rich critique which ought to give us sharp tools for a better understanding of how to achieve equitable and sustainable development goals in the future.' - Jenny Pearce, Professor of Latin American Politics, Director of International Centre for Participation Studies, University of Bradford, UK

'This is a brilliant study of the contested but widespread practice of incorporating civil society groups within various forms of participatory governance. Gaynor draws on theorists as diverse as Foucault, Gramsci, Young and Habermas to offer a broad theoretical framework that guides her empirical study of the Malawian and Irish cases in an exceptionally rich way. Placed in the wider context of the shifting forms of governance in this globalised era, this book comes up with surprising conclusions that are as politically significant as they are conceptually nuanced. Essential reading for students of civil society, governance, globalisation, international development and public administration.' - Peadar Kirby, Professor of International Politics and Public Policy, University of Limerick, Ireland

Autorentext

NIAMH GAYNOR is Lecturer in International Development at Dublin City University, Ireland. She previously worked for a number of years in Bénin and then as a freelance researcher with NGOs and community groups in both Ireland and Africa.

Inhalt
Introduction: Participation and Development - Beyond the Impasse? PART I: PARTICIPATION IN CONTEXT Globalization, Governance and Participation Malawi and Ireland in a Globalized World Analyzing Participation: A Theoretical Framework of Analysis PART II: PARTICIPATION IN PRACTICE The Dynamics of Participation in Malawi and Ireland The State and Participation in Malawi and Ireland Civil Society and Participation in Malawi and Ireland PART III: TRANSFORMING PARTICIPATION?: CONCLUSION Transforming Participation?: The Politics of Development in Malawi and Ireland Bibliography Notes