AbstractsPolitical Science

as a Lingua Franca (ELF) and its position in contemporary

by Frida Koernig




Institution: Uppsala University
Department:
Year: 2016
Keywords: Participation; participatory development; development projects; critical ideas; power inbalances; power relations; Social Sciences; Political Science; Globalization Studies; Samhällsvetenskap; Statsvetenskap; Globaliseringsstudier; Kandidatprogram i freds- och utvecklingsstudier; Bachelor Programme in Peace and Development Studies; Utvecklingsstudier; Development Studies
Posted: 02/05/2017
Record ID: 2064637
Full text PDF: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-273968


Abstract

Participation is often seen as fundamental in development studies and for development projects. There are also critical ideas claiming that there are power relations which should be taken into account before embracing participation as good in itself. From the basis of the critical ideas found in the book Participation: The New Tyranny? this paper examines the cases of ‘Integrated Water Resources Management’ and ‘Integrated Approach for Mitigation of Arsenic Contamination of Drinking Water in Bangladesh’ in order to determine whether the critical ideas in the book are applicable when analysing texts about these cases. After determining that there are indications of power imbalances between the facilitators and the local population in the two cases, this paper finally argues that the critical ideas are applicable and that there is a need for more and broader discussions and dialogues between various actors involved in development projects. Also mentioned in this paper is the importance of raising awareness of power relations and incorporating different views when planning and implementing development projects.