Webpaper by Jeff MacKenzie
94640992
For Professor Alexandra Samuel
Political Science 328-001
Submitted : April 4, 2002

“[If] development does not accelerate and if the benefits of economic progress and new technology do not reach those at the bottom of society- then rather than increased prosperity for all, a grimmer vision of the future may prevail. Such a scenario suggests an unstable future, ridden with conflict and environmental problems, in which islands of prosperity are surrounded oceans of poverty and frustration. In such a world, even prosperous regions would fear for their security, for when all else fails, the poor will learn to export their misery and anger”(Hammond, 2001, 97)

            With even the most cursory evaluation of contemporary development and the status of developing nations, it becomes evident that serious problems exist in the world today. A massive disparity, both economic and technological, has developed between the globe’s haves and the have-nots, with resentment and avarice approaching a critical level. As Hammond has suggested, either things must change, or they will be changed, quite possibly forcibly. A crisis is in the making.

            However, Hammond’s dim prophecy is not the only possible outcome. It is possible that the same economic and technical processes that are escalating global tension can also work to alleviate it. One of these areas of promise is the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), which may provide some powerful tools that may be used to improving development theory. Specifically, if the recent advancements in ICT are utilized to modify and enhance Participatory Development theory, realistic and exciting new approaches to development can be articulated. This paper will argue that advances in Information and Communication Technology provide an opportunity to increase the effectiveness of Participatory Development projects. This will be shown by first detailing the standard theory of Participatory development, as well as the new relevant technologies, and then by showing how this theory can be enhanced by the incorporation of these advancements. Next Section