The Challenge of Democratic Empowerment

Publication date: Monday 18 October 2004

This paper is an attempt to examine social resistance and attempts at social change through the critical examination of popular terms and thus arriving at an understanding of the civil society debates in contemporary times.

Sitaram underscores the importance of citizenship and states that when people participate as citizens they are far more than simply being 'stakeholders'. The latter term is more reminiscent of being part of market participation. Indeed, he provides an excellent glossary for the readers which helps to locate the discussions regarding the concepts.

This paper is accompanied by an annotated bibliography by journalist Akhila Seetharam, providing brief summaries of relevant literature short-listed by the author.