Debates on participatory tend to be abstract, with references to experiences in Athens over 2000 years ago. This book uses recent experience in participatory innovations at the city level to explore the practice of participation. Taking examples from Latin America and the UK it argues the case for revitalizing democracy through participation.

JENNY PEARCE is Professor of Latin American Politics and Director the of the International Centre fro Participation Studies in the Department of Peace Studies, University of Bradford, UK.

Introduction; J.Pearce Co-Producing Knowledge: Critical Reflections on Researching Participation; J.Pearce Porto Alegre: Popular Sovereignty or Dependent Citizens?; S.Baierle Porto Alegre: From Municipal Innovations to the Culturally Embedded Micro-Politics of (Un)Emancipated Citizens: The Case of Rubbish Recyclers; Z.Navarro Caracas: The State and Peoples' Power in the Barrio; M.Lopez Maya Medellin: Participatory Creativity in a Conflictive City; O.Uran Manchester: Between the Grass Roots and City Hall: Participation in a Global City; J.Diamond& J.Pearce Bradford: Professionalised Participation in a Northern De-industrialised City; H.Blakey Salford: Beyond Parochialism: The Challenge of Participation for Change in a Working Class City; D.Miller Participation as a Field of Study and Practice: A Modest Contribution; J.Pearce