Participatory methods: precipitating or avoiding conflict?

The article discusses conflict and conflict management in using PRA as a long-term process of local institutional development. It describes factors which prevents practitioners from using PRA as part of a process which recognises and handles conflict. Examples from India illustrate situations where the use of PRA has generated conflict and how it was managed in different institutional contexts. The potentially serious consequences of failing to address conflict is highlighted by an example from Gujerat, India, where conflict generated by a PRA resulted in violence and death.