The personal is political: international politics, national politics and community participation

Abstract

Sustainable development, according through to the World Bank and other donor agencies, is only possible if the communities are involved, ie through popular participation. A similar theme emerges from the British ODA - aid is prioritised where good governance, sustainable development and protection of the environment are evident in country programmes. ‘Good governance’ is, in their terms, multiparty, parliamentary, democracy with universal franchise, which emphasises the ability of the individual to participate fully in the democratic processes. Participation, therefore, is a general theme threaded through bilateral and multilateral aid programmes.