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Non-government development organisations and the grassroots in Peru

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2026

Javier Díaz-Albertini
Javier Díaz-Albertini*
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, State University of New York at Stony Brook
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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 based on grassroots empowerment and a ‘bottom-up’ agenda.

Résumé

Résumé

Cet article traite des stratégies à long terme entérinées par les organisations non gouvernementales d’aide au développement (ONGD) à Lima, au Pérou, et visant à donner du pouvoir à la base, ainsi que de leur mise en oeuvre pratique dans des programmes de développement. Un examen de la littérature et des projets des ONGD permet une synthèse de trois stratégies typiques idéales (néo-marxiste, néo-anarchiste et formation de coalitions). L’article décrit ces stratégies et les compare, notamment du point de vue de leurs conceptions divergentes des processus de développement à partir de la base (‘bottom-up’) et de la façon dont elles caractérisent la mobilisation à la base et le rôle de l’Etat et des partis politiques. Cependant ces divergences ont tendance à s’estomper en pratique lorsqu’il s’agit d’activités de soutien à la base et de projets de développement qui doivent tenir compte des modèles de micromobilisation des pauvres et de la conjoncture politique. L’exposé traite de plusieurs interprétations de la contradiction entre les stratégies typiques idéales et la tactique de mise en oeuvre pratique, ced conduisant à la conclusion que de telles contradictions sont inhérentes à tout processus politique se fondant sur un développement du pouvoir à la base et sur une approche ‘de bas en haut’.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Dieser Aufsatz untersucht das Verhältnis zwischen langfristigen Strategien, die von nicht-staatlichen Entwicklungsorganisationen (NGDOs) in Lima, Peru, vertreten werden und ihre Umsetzung in konkrete Entwicklungsprogramme. Eine Untersuchung von NGDO-Unterlagen und -projekten erlaubt die Synthese von drei idealtypischen Strategien (neo-marxistisch, neo-anarchistisch und koalitionistisch). Diese Strategien werden vor allem im Hinblick darauf vergleichend beschrieben, inwieweit sie zu unterschiedlichen Konzeptionen lokaler Entwicklungsvorstellungen führen: hinsichtlich einer Entwicklung ‘von unten’, der ländlicher Mobilisierung sowie der Rolle von Staat und politischen Parteien. Diese Unterschiede werden allerdings zumeist verwischt, wenn eine tatsächliche Vertretung ländlicher Interessen angestrebt wird und Entwicklungsprojekte sich mit den Mustern der Mikro-Mobilisierung der Armen und den politischen Gegebenheiten auseinandersetzen müssen. Verschiedene Interpretationen des Widerspruchs zwischen idealtypischen Strategien und tatsächlichen Vertretungstaktiken werden diskutiert. Es wird die Schlußfolgerung gezogen, daß solche Widersprüche jedem politischen Prozeß der Landreform und jeder Entwicklungsanstrengung von ‘unten nach oben’ innewohnen.

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations , Volume 2 , Issue 1 , May 1991, pp. 26 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © International Society for Third-Sector Research 1991

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