Marie Michael Library

Paradigms, poverty and adaptive pluralism

Chambers, Robert

This paper outlines five major developments. First, change has accelerated in communication technology, Web 2.0, and the lives of the marginal and poverty-stricken. Second, in public administration and the aid sector, there has been a shift from participatory approaches to a more control oriented upward accountability. Third, participatory methodologies (PMs) have multiplied and diversified. Fourth, the theory of the nature of technology provides insight for interpreting development. Fifth, the significance of power and relationships has become more visible. Taken together, these five constitute a paradigm of adaptive and participatory pluralism. This combines participatory approaches, the personal dimension, and complexity. The paper concludes with implications for policy and practice.