This edited volume provides a collection of critical perspective onparticipatory approaches. The chapters range from very theoreticalanalyses to more concrete case-studies of how participation is soughtin practice.

In the context of contemporary developmentthinking, which at times treats participation as a panacea, this textprovides a useful counterbalance. It calls for greater prudence in bothour assumptions concerning participation, as well as its deployment indevelopment planning.

This book is well written and the analyses are in-depth. It provides some of the most incisive critiques of participation as currently “practiced”, but its authors have also been criticized for their lack of practical experience.

This text is of interest to both students and practitioners; however those unfamiliar with the participation agenda would be well advised to read an introductory text prior to this one.