Participation in Development: New Avenues

Abstract

Political redemocratization now occurring in numerous countries of Asia and Latin America challenges both the rule of dictators and their elitist development strategies. This essay argues that new modes of popular participation are needed in the transition to equitable development. The author classifies diverse forms of participation, assesses lessons of experience, illustrates new forms of participation in Sri Lanka and Brazil, and summarizes the strategic importance of new approaches. Participation is newly conceptualized as a "moral incentive" allowing the powerless poor to negotiate new "material incentives" for themselves, and as a leverage point permitting successful micro actors to gain entry into macro arenas of decision making. Criteria are established for authentic participation, and its indispensable role in the pursuit of equitable development and political democracy is justified.