DEVELOPMENT AID AS AN INTERVENTION IN DYNAMIC SYSTEMS: An Introduction

Elwert, Georg; Bierschenk, Thomas

doi:10.1111/j.1467-9523.1988.tb01033.x

Cited by 30 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 3 publications

(1 reference statement)

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…They are instead searching for support for action already taken, and for support that serves the interests of various components of the policy shaping community" (Palumbo h Nachmias 1983,9-11). Our argument converges in important respects with recent anthropological work on development projects and intervention processes in Africa, see Olivier de Sardan (1985,1988); Chauveau (1985); Elwert and Bierschenk (1988); and Geschiere (1989). It also coincides (although we did not fully realise this until we had completed our paper) with some of the critical points elaborated by Schaffer (1984) in his essay on 'Towards responsibility: Public policy in concept and practice'.…”

supporting

confidence: 81%

Demythologizing Planned Intervention: An Actor Perspective

1989

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The principal aim of this paper is to demythologize current notions on planned intervention. This, we believe, is indispensible for the development of a critical analysis of policy and intervention practices'. We argue that it is important to challenge the time-space definitions, normative assumptions and praxeology implied in orthodox intervention models; and we expose the limitations of certain theoretical conceptions that underpin them, giving particular attention to the theorization of commoditization, institutional incorporation and the interrelations of state and civil society. As an alternative, we propose an actor-oriented analysis that views intervention as a 'multiple reality' made up of differing cultural perceptions and social interests, and constituted by the ongoing social and political struggles that take place between the social actors involved.At the outset we need to distinguish between theoretical models aimed at understanding processes of social change and development (here we are especially concerned with agrarian change) and policy models which attempt to set out the ways in which development? can be promoted. This distinction is important but, of course, not absolute since policy models are explicitly or implicitly based upon theoretical assumptions and interpretations that are supposed to explain how change takes place or how objectives are to be achieved3. Theoretical models may address themselves to specific dimensions (e.g. rural or urban development, or political transformation) and some aim to characterize the essential elements of policy-making and implementation itself'.The interrelations between theoretical and policy models are often left unexplicated and therefore unclear. Hence it seems important to focus upon intervention practices as they evolve and are shaped by the struggles between the various participants, rather than simply on intervention models, by which we mean the ideal-typical constructions that planners, implementors or clients may have about the process. Focussing upon intervention practices allows one to take into account the emergent forms of interaction, procedures, practical strategies, types of discourse, cultural

show abstract

supporting

confidence: 81%

Demythologizing Planned Intervention: An Actor Perspective

1989

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…On the contrary, such institutions open up new arenas for contestation, rivalry and positioning. Often old rivalries are sharpened and fought out and new alliances or power constellations may be formed, challenging old-established social positions of control and power (Bierschenk 1988;Crehan and Von Oppen 1988;Elwert and Bierschenk 1988).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…3 This article is based on the assumption that externally supported institutions open new 'arenas' for struggle over resources (see, e.g., Bierschenk 1988;Crehan and Von Oppen 1988;Elwert and Bierschenk 1988;IBRD 1996). In this context the concept of an arena refers to 'social locations or situations in which contests over issues, resources, values and representations take place.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

External support to local institutions: providing political leverage to weaker groups, or sustaining traditional relations of power?

Nygaard

2008

Eur J Dev Res

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Dans cet article, nous voudrions approfondir cette perspective en ktudiant la capacitk d'action et I'espace de nkgociation reels des (presumks) cc pauvres s au sein d'un projet concret, en nous inspirant de certaines approches recentes proposkes par la sociologie du dkveloppement (Elwert et Bierschenk 1988;Bierschenk et Olivier de Sardan 1997;Foudriat, Donovan et Rivera 2000;Mosse 2001;Long 2001;Bastiaensen et al 2002). Norman Long (2001), par exemple, propose d'analyser une intervention ciblke comme une interface sociale concrete dans laquelle les (( univers de vie )) (lifeworlds)' des diffkrents acteurs s'entrecroisent.…”

unclassified

Aide d'urgence et notions locales d'équité: Analyse d'un programme d'aide nutritionnelle comme une interface sociale

Herdt¹

2003

Canadian Journal of Development Studies/Revue canadienne d'étud

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

DEVELOPMENT AID AS AN INTERVENTION IN DYNAMIC SYSTEMS: An Introduction

Cited by 30 publications

References 3 publications

Demythologizing Planned Intervention: An Actor Perspective

Demythologizing Planned Intervention: An Actor Perspective

External support to local institutions: providing political leverage to weaker groups, or sustaining traditional relations of power?

Aide d'urgence et notions locales d'équité: Analyse d'un programme d'aide nutritionnelle comme une interface sociale

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About