Building Democracy with Equality: The Participatory Experience in the Rural Province of Anta, Cusco, Peru

Abstract

The province of Anta, in the region of Cusco, has been the site of an important process of political and social participation which has involved the increasing articulation of rural communities, traditionally excluded from the state political dynamics, with urban organisations and local governments. The process began in the district of Limatambo, where participatory governance measures were developed to engage small farmers and members of rural communities in a significant socialisation of power. The success of this experience led to the victory of the local political group in the provincial elections, the next level of government. Among the many different actors involved were political organisations, farm communities, neighbourhood associations, grass roots organisations and non?governmental organisations (NGOs).