When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself

by Steve Corbett

A Participatory Continuum Mode of Participation Type of Involvement of Local People Relationship of Outsiders to Local People Coercion Local people submit to predetermined plans developed by outsiders. DOING TO Compliance Local people are assigned to tasks, often with incentives, by outsiders; the outsiders decide the agenda and direct the process. DOING FOR Consultation Local people’s opinions are asked; local people analyze and decide on a course of action. DOING FOR Cooperation Local people work together with outsiders to determine priorities; responsibility remains with outsiders for directing the process. DOING WITH Co-Learning Local people and outsiders share their knowledge to create appropriate goals and plans, to execute those plans, and to evaluate the results. DOING WITH Community Initiated Local people set their own agenda and mobilize to carry it out without outside initiators and facilitators. RESPOND-ING TO TABLE 6.1