This is a response to many real pressures, including:

• citizens' dissatisfaction with erosion of basic rights and standards;
• increased access by citizens to information and education;
• a growing diversity of contributions to and channels of service delivery;
• a growing demand from citizens to hold bearers of public office responsible for their performance and the results of their decisions (Cornwall et al., 2000).

These pressures have already led to social groups, including the poorest, taking over social service roles, organizing public pressure and finding alternative sources of economic support, as both the state and the market have become increasingly inaccessible. People have thus increasingly become involved in social movements and civil society organizations that can articulate or service their interests.