Whose Reality Counts?: Putting the first last - Softcover

Chambers, Professor Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 185339386X ISBN 13: 9781853393860

Publisher: Practical Action Publishing, 1997

Synopsis

In this sequel to Rural Development: Putting the last first Robert Chambers argues that central issues in development have been overlooked, and that many past errors have flowed from domination by those with power. Development professionals now need new approaches and methods for interacting, learning and knowing. Through analysing experience - of past mistakes and myths, and of the continuing methodological revolution of PRA (participatory rural appraisal) - the author points towards solutions. In many countries, urban and rural people alike have shown an astonishing ability to express and analyse their local, complex and diverse realities which are often at odds with the top-down realities imposed by professionals. The author argues that personal, professional and institutional change is essential if the realities of the poor are to receive greater recognition. Self-critical awareness and changes in concepts, values, methods and behaviour must be developed to explore the new high ground of participation and empowerment. Whose Reality Counts? presents a radical challenge to all concerned with development, whether practitioners, researchers or policy-makers, in all organizations and disciplines, and at all levels from fieldworkers to the heads of agencies. With its thrust of putting the first last it presents a new, exciting and above all practical agenda for future development which cannot be ignored. BAI Catalogue: The methods and approaches of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) comprise the core of this book. But PRA has evolved and spread in many directions and into many areas. The author argues that PRA has come to affect much development practice, professionalism, research, education, training, management and many institutions. The PRA experience has led into wider questions about development and about the human condition. It has pointed towards a gap in the writing about development - the lack of analysis of how error, professionalism, power and personal interaction interlink - a gap which the author tries to fill with this book. The argument runs that reflective and self-critical PRA practitioners are evolving a philosophy and behaviour which seem to promise better performance. This new approach combined with other trends are part of a deep shift in ways of thinking, seeing, acting and being in the world. So the book is about more than PRA and more than just development. The author contends that, as a term, participatory rural appraisal no longer describes what is happening. Participatory fits but rural is wrong because of innumerable applications in urban areas, organisations, adult literacy, policy and so on; and appraisal implies only finding out and assessment, when many want PRA to describe a much longer process. PRA has become fashionable but the author contends that bad practice is widespread and asks whether PRA can be self-improving as it spreads. This is a thought-provoking book and it would interest all those concerned with the realities of the poor in the developing world.

About this title

Synopsis

This volume explores the boundaries of participatory rural appraisal (PRA). With PRA now widely adopted, with varying degress of success, the author examines the next steps as "the methodological revolution continues". The work presents an analysis of the relationship between professionals and the poor, The realities of development professionals, embracing such values as measurement and control, are at odds with those of the poor they seek to assist. Poor people's realities are instead diverse, dynamic and unpredictable, yet the professionals so often impose their own realities upon the poor. Chambers argues that professionals must adapt their approaches to bridge this gap since "we now know better what people can do, and especially poor rural people...It is more than we supposed".

About the Author

Robert Chambers is Research Associate and Emeritus Professor, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex and the author of Participatory Workshops (2002) and Ideas for Development (2005).

Edition details

• Publisher: Practical Action Publishing
• Publication date: 1997
• ISBN 10: 185339386X
• ISBN 13: 9781853393860
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 320