Whose Reality Counts?

"The first step ... is humbling. It is to recognize our ignorance and error. Gradually, and none too soon, development professionals are coming to see that the problem is more 'us' than 'them'. It is with ourselves that we have to start." - Robert Chambers

In this sequel to "Rural Development: Putting the last first" Robert Chambers argues that central issues in development have been overlooked, and that many past errors have flowed from domination by those with power. Development professionals now need new approaches and methods for interacting, learning and knowing. Through analyzing experience - of past mistakes and myths, and of the continuing methodological revolution of PRA (participatory rural appraisal) - the author points towards solutions.

In many countries, urban and rural people alike have shown an astonishing ability to express and analyze their local, complex and diverse realities which are often at odds with the top-down realities imposed by professionals. The author argues that personal, professional and institutional change is essential if the realities of the poor are to receive greater recognition. Self-critical awareness and changes in concepts, values, methods and behaviour must be developed to explore the new high ground of participation and empowerment.

"Whose Reality Counts?" presents a radical challenge to all concerned with development, whether practitioners,researchers or policy-makers, in all organizations and disciplines, and at all levels from fieldworkers to the heads of agencies. With its thrust of putting the first last it presents a new, exciting and above all practical agenda for future development which cannot be ignored.

The issues that Robert Chambers raises are equally true for business practitioners engaging the Base of the Pyramid. In order to learn from the varied mistakes of the last half-century of international development, we must study what has gone before and not assume that as businessmen or proponents of a "new way" that we are wiser or immune to the traps that development experts built around themselves. The roots of the problem are the same, and they exist within most of us.