Representation by Development Organizations: Evidence From India and Implications for Inclusive Development

This article focuses on development organizations’ construction of representative roles in their work at the environment–development interface and implications these constructions for inclusiveness. While much past literature representation has dealt with electoral representation, this highlights importance nonelectoral representation. It follows a constructivist approach is based 36 in-depth interviews staff different types India-based organizations working disaster risk management. The shows how India contribute to inclusive by representing groups that are vulnerable diverse ways. Showing diversity it mediated organizations, makes clear more complex than commonly suggests. complexity enables engage specific dimensions development. also illustrates happens through opportunities found created intertwining capacity development, service delivery, advocacy. At same time, nature its embeddedness wide set relations, indirect questionable ways beyond understood dominance powerful nongovernmental organizations.