Cowie, William

Participatory development : introduction

This paper describes two extremes of participation, labeled by the author as Mild and Strong Participatory Development (PD). Mild PD is seen as compatible with globalization, exists within the established order, and acts most often as a tool of economic efficiency. It is often associated with the transfer of market-oriented business and technical knowledge. Mild PD is a means rather than an end, with the development agency finding an appropriate group to fulfill their need rather than the communities need.