This Article Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (4) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by van der Linden, J. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                   What's this?

On popular participation in a culture of patronage; patrons and grassroots organization in a sites and services project in Hyderabad, Pakistan

Department of Development Sociology, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1081c, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands. Fax: (31) 20 444 6722, jj.vd_linden{at}scw.vu.nl

This paper begins by discussing the ways in which patronage inhibits housing solutions for low-income groups and the conditions under which it has greatest scope for operating. There follows a discussion of what factors diminish the power of patronage within the context of a government-run site and service programme in Hyderabad (Pakistan). Here, reducing scarcity (in this case affordable land sites) and the distance between people and government were important in reducing (although not removing) the role of patrons. The paper ends with some suggestions as to how the role of patrons can be reduced in government projects - and how low-income households' direct access to land and basic services without the involvement of a patron are among the best forms of "participation".

"If you live in the river, it is better to stay friends with the crocodile" (Pakistani proverb).

CiteULike    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?