ABSTRACT
The significance of power and politics in addressing poverty has long been understood, as has the importance of a continued commitment of oppressed citizens to struggle for progressive transformation. The struggles against colonial rule and other forms of authoritarian control have been diverse, multiple and often successful. The waves of social protests in the 1980s against autocratic states renewed global interest in the power of citizenship and citizen action. The themes of democracy and decentralisation have long been a part of the portfolio of activities undertaken by official development assistance agencies albeit, in general, primarily with a technical focus. Non-governmental efforts (including agencies in both the Global North and the Global South) have supported explicit and radical political agendas including the movements for democracy such as those in Latin America and southern Africa, as well as citizen organising to address exploitation and discrimination and voter education.
