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Adapting Generic Models through Bricolage: Elite Capture of Water Users Associations in Peri-urban Lilongwe

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  • Maria Rusca

    (UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611AX, Delft, The Netherlands
    Governance and Inclusive Development, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Klaas Schwartz

    (UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611AX, Delft, The Netherlands
    Governance and Inclusive Development, Amsterdam Institute for Social Science Research, University of Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 166, Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

  • Lejla Hadzovic

    (UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611AX, Delft, The Netherlands)

  • Rhodante Ahlers

    (Independent Researcher)

Abstract

In the aspiration to upscale their activities in the global South, development aid agencies have a tendency to design and implement generic models. These are often associated with desired characteristics and principles, such as participation or inclusion of the poorest. However, in the dynamic environment in which models are implemented, the design characteristics and principles are mitigated, adapted or reinforced by context-specific socially embedded institutions through a process of bricolage. This process is driven and shaped by power relations and, as a consequence, development interventions tend to reproduce local power structures, and benefits derived from the projects are likely to be captured by elites to the detriment of others. Models thus carry the danger of reproducing and even increasing existing inequalities. Similarly, initial claims of participation or inclusion of the poorest often fail to materialize. We develop these arguments by focusing on the Water Users Association model in Lilongwe, Malawi.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Rusca & Klaas Schwartz & Lejla Hadzovic & Rhodante Ahlers, 2015. "Adapting Generic Models through Bricolage: Elite Capture of Water Users Associations in Peri-urban Lilongwe," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 27(5), pages 777-792, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:pal:eurjdr:v:27:y:2015:i:5:p:777-792
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lejla H Pihljak & Maria Rusca & Cecilia Alda-Vidal & Klaas Schwartz, 2021. "Everyday practices in the production of uneven water pricing regimes in Lilongwe, Malawi," Environment and Planning C, , vol. 39(2), pages 300-317, March.
    2. Felix Ouko Opola & Laurens Klerkx & Cees Leeuwis & Catherine Kilelu, 0. "The Hybridity of Inclusive Innovation Narratives Between Theory and Practice: A Framing Analysis," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 0, pages 1-23.
    3. Clement, Floriane & Suhardiman, Diana & Bharati, Luna, "undated". "IWRM Discourses, Institutional Holy Grail and Water Justice in Nepal," Papers published in Journals (Open Access) H048330, International Water Management Institute.
    4. Akosua Sarpong Boakye-Ansah & Klaas Schwartz & Margreet Zwarteveen, 2019. "From Rowdy Cartels to Organized Ones? The Transfer of Power in Urban Water Supply in Kenya," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(5), pages 1246-1262, December.
    5. Goodwin, Geoff & O'Hare, Patrick & Sheild Johansson, Miranda & Alderman, Jonathan, 2022. "The politics of coproduction during Latin America’s ‘Pink Tide’: Water, housing, and waste in comparative perspective," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 157(C).
    6. Felix Ouko Opola & Laurens Klerkx & Cees Leeuwis & Catherine Kilelu, 2021. "The Hybridity of Inclusive Innovation Narratives Between Theory and Practice: A Framing Analysis," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 33(3), pages 626-648, June.
    7. Jean-Benoit Falisse & Hugues Nkengurutse, 2022. "Citizens Committees and Local Elites: Elite Capture, Captured Elites, and Absent Elites in Health Facility Committees," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(3), pages 1662-1683, June.
    8. Ram Ranjan, 2019. "How Socio-Economic and Natural Resource Inequality Impedes Entrepreneurial Ventures of Farmers in Rural India," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 31(3), pages 433-460, July.
    9. Alexis Beyuo & Nana Akua Anyidoho, 2022. "An Impact Assessment of Farmer Participation on Food Security in Northwestern Ghana," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 34(4), pages 1831-1856, August.
    10. Eriksen, Siri & Schipper, E. Lisa F. & Scoville-Simonds, Morgan & Vincent, Katharine & Adam, Hans Nicolai & Brooks, Nick & Harding, Brian & Khatri, Dil & Lenaerts, Lutgart & Liverman, Diana & Mills-No, 2021. "Adaptation interventions and their effect on vulnerability in developing countries: Help, hindrance or irrelevance?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    11. Francis Onditi & Moses Obimbo & Samson Kinyanjui Muchina & Israel Nyadera, 2020. "Modeling a Pandemic (COVID-19) Management Strategy for Urban Slums Using Social Geometry Framework," The European Journal of Development Research, Palgrave Macmillan;European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), vol. 32(5), pages 1450-1475, December.
    12. Zuin, Valentina & Delaire, Caroline & Peletz, Rachel & Cock-Esteb, Alicea & Khush, Ranjiv & Albert, Jeff, 2019. "Policy Diffusion in the Rural Sanitation Sector: Lessons from Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 1-1.

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