Participation is Dangerous: Qualitative Study on Christian Development Practitioners and Participatory Development
Author
Zocher, Arne
Term
4. term
Publication year
2010
Submitted on
2010-12-20
Pages
103
Abstract
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvorfor mange kristne udviklingspraktikere har en stærk præference for deltagerbaseret udvikling—en tilgang, hvor lokalsamfund inddrages i beslutninger om indsatser og prioriteter. Analysen bygger på interviews, jeg har gennemført om deres motiver og syn på udvikling. Med et teoretisk blik på, hvordan deltagelsesmetoder også kan bruges til at påvirke eller manipulere, argumenterer jeg for, at nogle praktikere foretrækker deltagelse, fordi den giver en raffineret, socialt acceptabel måde at missionere på—altså at søge at omvende andre. Jeg argumenterer desuden for, at deltagerbaseret udvikling taler til deres religiøse ønsker, som kredser om at være i tæt relation til Gud. Mange beskrev deltagelse som en personlig transformationsproces, der bringer dem tættere på Gud. Med afsæt i Ilan Kapoor foreslår jeg, at denne selvstyrkende oplevelse af religiøs forvandling kan øge praktikernes indflydelse og magt i praksis, hvilket kan gøre deltagelse som manipulation mere effektiv.
This thesis explores why many Christian development practitioners show a strong preference for participatory development—an approach that invites community members to take part in decisions about projects and priorities. The analysis is based on interviews I conducted about their motivations and views of development. Using a theoretical lens that highlights how participatory methods can also be used to influence or manipulate, I argue that some practitioners favor participation because it provides a refined, socially acceptable way to proselytize—that is, to encourage religious conversion. I also propose that participatory development aligns with their spiritual aspirations, which center on being in a close relationship with God. Many described participation as a process of personal transformation that brings the believer closer to God. Following Ilan Kapoor, I suggest that this self-empowering sense of religious transformation can increase practitioners’ influence and power in the field, which can make participation-as-manipulation more effective.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
Documents