Penn State

Consortium forSocial Movements and Education
Research and Practice

Non-government development organisations and the grassroots in Peru

Non-government development organisations and the grassroots in Peru

Javier Díaz-Albertini
1991
1991

Abstract

This paper examines the long-term grassroots empowerment strategies endorsed by non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs) in Lima, Peru and their application in concrete development programmes. An examination of NGDO literature and projects permits the synthesis of three ideal-typical empowerment strategies (Neo-Marxist, Neo-Anarchist, Coalition-Building). These strategies are described and compared, especially with respect to their diverging conceptions on processes of 'bottom-up' development, the characterisation of grassroots mobilisation and the role of the state and political parties. These differences, however, tend to be compromised once actual advocacy work with the grassroots is contemplated, when development projects have to deal with the micro-mobilisation patterns of the poor and the political conjuncture. Several interpretations of the contradiction between ideal typical strategies and actual advocacy tactics are discussed, concluding that such contradictions are inherent to any political process

Abstract

This paper examines the long-term grassroots empowerment strategies endorsed by non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs) in Lima, Peru and their application in concrete development programmes. An examination of NGDO literature and projects permits the synthesis of three ideal-typical empowerment strategies (Neo-Marxist, Neo-Anarchist, Coalition-Building). These strategies are described and compared, especially with respect to their diverging conceptions on processes of 'bottom-up' development, the characterisation of grassroots mobilisation and the role of the state and political parties. These differences, however, tend to be compromised once actual advocacy work with the grassroots is contemplated, when development projects have to deal with the micro-mobilisation patterns of the poor and the political conjuncture. Several interpretations of the contradiction between ideal typical strategies and actual advocacy tactics are discussed, concluding that such contradictions are inherent to any political process

Social Movements

Grassroots

Keywords

Community Organizing, Latin America, NGOs, Policy

Theme

Popular Education; Adult Education; and Social Movement Learning