'Original and insightful, this book uses comparison between two distinct contexts of the global North and South to very productive effect. The book probes the assumptions around participation and partnership which drove development discourse and practice in the pre-crisis epoch of neoliberal globalisation in order to question both. The outcome is an empirically grounded but conceptually rich critique which ought ... Read moreto give us sharp tools for a better understanding of how to achieve equitable and sustainable development goals in the future.' - Jenny Pearce, Professor of Latin American Politics, Director of International Centre for Participation Studies, University of Bradford, UK 'This is a brilliant study of the contested but widespread practice of incorporating civil society groups within various forms of participatory governance. Gaynor draws on theorists as diverse as Foucault, Gramsci, Young and Habermas to offer a broad theoretical framework that guides her empirical study of the Malawian and Irish cases in an exceptionally rich way. Placed in the wider context of the shifting forms of governance in this globalised era, this book comes up with surprising conclusions that are as politically significant as they are conceptually nuanced. Essential reading for students of civil society, governance, globalisation, international development and public administration.' - Peadar Kirby, Professor of International Politics and Public Policy, University of Limerick, Ireland Show Less