Transforming Participation?: The Politics of Development in Malawi and Ireland

In a world of increasing inequality, marginalisation, polarisation and division, both within and between nations, the imperative to rethink our collective development paths is ever more urgent. Can participatory governance processes provide a space for this? Or do they co-opt and coerce groups and end up closing these spaces?

In an innovative comparative study which breaks with traditional 'north/south' and 'us/them' dichotomies, Niamh Gaynor explores these questions by focusing on political actors in Malawi's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (PRSP) and Ireland's Social Partnership processes. Uncovering the tensions, challenges and conflicts facing actors in both processes, and setting out the conditions under with participatory processes can engage diverse voices, this book is of relevance to all concerned with issues of governance, development, equity and social change.