Originally posted at Participatory Evaluation Forum - Refocus Institute
By: Cindy Banyai, Ph.D.
Participation by citizens is too often conceived of in a passive way, relegating them to mere information givers or consultants, rather than actively contributing to the decision making process (Cling et al., 2002b, p. 173). Manipulative and tokenistic approaches to participation should be rejected in lieu of a move toward partnership and empowerment (Dobbs & Moore, 2002, p. 158). Issues with participation may lead to those with power imposing their point of view, limiting the involvement of other stakeholders, or the avoidance of socially divisive issues, severely limiting the effectiveness of policy (Cling et al., 2002b, p. 173; Dobbs & Moore, 2002, p. 162).
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| Participation means showing you care |
The participatory process in governance requires active involvement of sections of society in the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of policy (Cling et al., 2002b, p. 154; Dobbs & Moore, 2002, p. 159). Local participation is civic republicanism, where the collective and participatory engagement of citizens in the determination of the affairs of their community is depicted by their active involvement in political debate and decision-making (Hickey & Mohan, 2005, p. 253).
References
Cling, Jean-Pierre, Razafindrakoto, Mireille & Roubaud, Francois (2002a). Have the changes actually changed anything?. In (Eds.), Cling, Jean-Pierre, Razafindrakoto, Mireille & Roubaud, Francois. New International Poverty Reduction Strategies (pp. 1-19). London: Routledge.
Cling, Jean-Pierre, Razafindrakoto, Mireille & Roubaud, Francois (2002b). A participatory process towards establishing new relationships between stakeholders. In (Eds.), Cling, Jean-Pierre, Razafindrakoto, Mireille & Roubaud, Francois. New International Poverty Reduction Strategies (pp. 151-179). London: Routledge.
Dobbs, Lynn & Moore, Craig (2002). Engaging Communities in Area-based Regeneration: The Role of Participatory Evaluation. Policy Studies, 23(3/4), 157-171.
Hickey, Sam & Mohan, Giles (2005). Relocating Participation within a Radical Politics of Development. Development and Changes, 36(2), 237-262.
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