Community-based provision of development services in rural South Africa

Abstract

It is often contended that rural development works most effectively when beneficiary communities are active project participants, and not the passive recipients of assistance. This paper analyses participatory development through the lens of public goods theory. South Africa's Community Water Supply & Sanitation Programme is discussed as a case study. Conclusions from our game-theoretic analysis are used to make suggestions for South African development policy. © 2006 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2006 Economic Society of South Africa.