Paper short abstract:

The paper explores spaces for shifting North-South relationships from apolitical development projects towards funding social movements. It proposes a theory of “development-as-politics”, in which local and international NGOs jointly engage in local resistance struggles.

Paper long abstract:

The paper explores spaces for shifting North-South relationships from apolitical development projects towards funding social movements. It proposes a theory of "development-as-politics", in which local and international NGOs jointly engage in local resistance struggles.

Partnership in apolitical development projects, despite decades of critical discussion, remains the only concept of intervention considered to be just. One alternative is the support of social movements. In this paper, two case studies shed light on relationships where traditional INGOs support, not only financially, a collective of Haitian civil society actors struggling for voice in civil and political spaces and demanding government accountability. Haiti is particularly suitable as it has a culture of community-based organisation and solidarity which continues to be alive and thriving. The paper frames engagement of INGOs in resistance struggles by the demand posed by Haitians: "What can you do to help so that the state listens to us?" It discusses openings for building government responsiveness and supporting local resistance and analyses problems and limitations arising from external agents' engagement in local political struggles. These encompass issues of sovereignty, legitimacy, power, subaltern voice and representation. The exploration also identifies substantial clashes between the logic of movements and organisations.

Field research was carried out between 2012 and 2014. Data was collected through participant observation, narrative interviews and group discussions with (I)NGO staff, activists, community leaders and grassroots groups.

By pointing to a theory of "development-as-politics" findings provide the starting point for re-politicizing interaction between NGOs and the people they claim to support.