How can those who are most seriously affected by the ever-widening gap between rich and poor become active in its reduction? Has democratization improved their chances in this respect? How can donor agencies and non-governmental organizations help? This book focuses on the marginalized populations of Third world countries, living in the slums and squatter areas of large cities. Field research was carried out in four countries - Brazil, Chile, Ivory Coast and Kenya - and involved two cities and four marginalized settlements in each country. A representative survey ineach of the 16 settlements,and intensive qualitative interviews in close cooperation with local groupings and academics, made possible a comparitive view from below . The results illustrate common factors and causes, but also the great diversity of political cultures of the active poor and the possibilities for support by international aid agencies and non-governmental organizations.