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NGO Behavior and Development Discourse: Cases From Western India

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2026

Alnoor Ebrahim
Alnoor Ebrahim*
Affiliation:
Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, Blacksburg, Virginia
*
2 Correspondence should be directed to Alnoor Ebrahim, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, 200 Architecture Annex (0113), VirginiaTech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061; e-mail: aebrahim@vt.edu
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Abstract

This paper examines the effects of shifts in “development discourse” on the behavior of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Drawing upon detailed case histories of two well-established NGOs in western India, it is demonstrated that (1) the case NGOs have been profoundly influenced by discourses prevailing during their initial, formative stages; (2) NGO behavior is subject to changes in global development discourses that are transmitted to them via a range of mechanisms including consultants, conditions of funding, and reporting requirements; and (3) these NGOs have been able to challenge and adapt certain discourses to suit their own needs and circumstances, sometimes even sparking wider structural change.

Résumé

Résumé

Cet article étudie l’impact produit par les changements dans le «discours sur le développement» sur le comportement des ONG (Organisations Non Gouvernementales). Au regard de l’évolution de deux ONG bien implantées en Inde occidentale, l’auteur démontre: (1) que les ONG observées ont été profondément influencées par les discours dominants au cours de leurs années formatrices; (2) que le comportement des ONG est affecté par les changements que connaissent les discours sur le développement. Ceux-ci leur parviennent par des intermédiaires variés: consultants, conditions de financement et nécessité de rendre des comptes; et enfin; (3) que ces ONG ont été capables de mettre en question et d’adapter certains discours afin qu’ils répondent à leurs propres besoins et situations, déclenchant parfois des changements structurels plus importants.

Zusammenfassung

Zusammenfassung

Dieser Artikel untersucht die Effekte der Veränderungen im “Entwicklungsdiskurs” auf das Verhalten von Nichtregierungsorganisationen (NGOs). Basierend auf detaillierten Fallgeschichten von zwei etablierten NGOs in Westindien wird gezeigt, daß: (1) die ausgewählten NGOs in starkem Maße durch die in ihrer Entstehungsphase vorherrschenden Diskurse beeinflußt wurden; (2) das Verhalten von NGOs sich im Zuge der Veränderung globaler Entwicklungsdiskurse ändert, die an sie durch eine Reihe von Mechanismen, einschließlich Consultants, Finanzierungsbedingungen und Rechenschaftslegung übermittelt werden; und (3) diese NGOs in der Lage waren, bestimmte Diskurse in Frage zu stellen und sie an ihre Bedürfnisse und Bedingungen anzupassen. Damit gelang es ihnen manchmal sogar darüber hinaus gehende strukturelle Veränderungen auszulösen.

Resumen

Resumen

Este artículo examina los efectos de cambios en el “discurso del dessarrollo” en el comportamiento de organizaciones no-gubernamentales (ONGs). Utilizando los casos de dos ONGs the la India oriental, se demuestra que: (1) las ONGs estudiadas han estado profundamente influenciadas por los discursos que dominantes durante su creación y primeros años; el comportamiento de las ONGs depende de cambios en los discursos globales sobre el desarrollo, que se transmiten a través de consultores, condiciones de financiamiento y de comunicación; y, (3) estas ONGs han podido adaptar los discursos a sus propias necesidades y circunstancias, a veces incluso provocando cambios estructurales en su entorno.

Keywords

nongovernmental organizationsNGOdiscoursedevelopmentIndia

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Voluntas: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations , Volume 12 , Issue 2 , June 2001, pp. 79 - 101
Copyright
Copyright © 2001 International Society for Third-Sector Research and The Johns Hopkins University

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