Participation and Development in Mexico: How to Involve People in Their Own Development

Lack of participation, political and otherwise, hasbeen a case in point in Latin American countries intheir struggle to develop, Mexico not being theexception. Political democracy is not enough for theimplementation of both a better distribution ofwealth and social justice. Development is an increaseof people?s ability and desire to satisfy their ownneeds and legitimate desires, and those of otherswith the means at their disposal. Development will beenhanced when individuals take part in all decisionsthat affect their lives. This book provides a methodof participative strategic planning, the Reflectionand Design Conference (RDC), that gives theopportunity for people to participate in the designand implementation of their own future, in ways thatdo not threaten established local authorities. Inmany circumstances the membership of a RDC is a mixof such people along with organizational leaders atseveral levels. In the RDC atmosphere they all haveequal status. The ideas and concepts formulated inthis book are of particular interest toorganizational and community developmentpractitioners and anyone interested in development inthe right sense.