Lack of participation in development

Development programmes may be made ineffective due to lack of understanding and cooperation on the part of the 'common man'. Such lack of participation may stem from community, religious and social prejudice or from inadequate information and communication on the part of the development planners. Elitism and bureaucratic corruption may stultify natural tendencies towards participation, and unsuitable development programmes may also contribute to an unfavourable response.

The problem of general participation in development programmes has been recognized from the outset by planners and has often been cited as the reason for the failure of certain projects.