Participatory Method: an analysis from an agroecological perspective

Abstract

The participatory method has been pointed out, by Agroecology authors, as the main form of interface between the actors in social processes, seeking to overcome a diffusionist notion of knowledge transmission. The objective of this article is to present the emergence of the participatory method, in academic and social mediation spaces. For that, a set of theoretical studies that show the limits of the participatory method is presented, making a comparative analysis between the participatory method and the diffusionist one. The research method used was of qualitative nature and bibliographic review. The study presents a description of the emergence of the participatory perspective during the analysis phase of the modernization process of agriculture problems; Dialogues with a group of authors that point to limits linked to the power issue and the selective choice of actors in participatory processes; Also comparatively analyzes the participatory method and the diffusionist method. In the conclusion points the approximation of the studies of Participation and Agroecology; Contrast the set of theoretical critiques pointed out by several authors; And ends by highlighting the profound differences between both methods.