The Political Economy of Reform: Empowerment and Participation
Author(s)
Streeten, Paul
Abstract
The standard prescription for improving the condition of the poor is, of course, first, their combination in organized pressure groups for more vocal representation of their interests and concerns, and, secondly, self-help, “bottom-up” and “people-centered” development through participatory organizations. The former may be backed by withholding their labor in strikes as a bargaining weapon. For the latter various participatory forms of organization and self-help by the poor also can reduce their dependence, add to their power, help formulate policies, make them more self-reliant and provide some of the resources. This article briefly analyzes examples of combinations of empowerment and participation to reduce poverty that have been used in different countries.
