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Key words that begin with the letter M

by Phil Bartle

MACRO LEVEL ANALYSIS

In the social sciences, examinations of large scale patterns of society are called "macro."

It includes broad surveys of social change, and levels of analysis of nation states, large ethnic groups, social class and communities.

It is contrasted with "Micro level Analysis."

MANAGEMENT

The word "management" refers to the functions of control, co-ordination, decision making, and problem solving of any governmental, not-for-profit, or commercial organization (agency, department, association), group, community, endeavour, or project.

It is a broad concept (like “governance”) and can be carried out in many different ways. The empowerment methodology in these web pages encourages “participatory management,” rather than autocractic or dictatorial management.

In both Spanish and French languages, the English word "management" translates as different words. In Spanish, there are three meanings: (1) dirección, (2) gestión y (3) administración. "Dirección:" to run, the power to give the  orders. "Gestionar:" to arrange, the ability to take the  necessary actions for something to be done. "Administración:" means the job done by a clerk.

Those are shades of meanings;  the three of them can all also be called "dirección." On this web site, we use the word "gestión"  because it is the closest to the methods the site proposes (participatory). Is more general, more "democratic,"  not so dictatorial as "dirección," but a more important job than a simple "administración."

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

Information needed to make management decisions

(Differs from “information management.")

MANAGEMENT TRAINING

Management training differs from orthodox training (which emphasizes skill transfer) in that it is used as a method of mobilizing and organizing (or reorganizing) a management system.

While originally developed for senior managers of large commercial corporations, it is a useful method to add to social animation in strengthening or empowering low income communities and groups.

See "training for action," below. Also see "community management training,"above.

MICRO-LEVEL ANALYSIS

Examinations of small scale social patterns.

MISTAKES

A "mistake" is an error. We are tempted to get upset when we or the people who work for or with us make a mistake. But we must learn to expect mistakes and see it as a normal part of being human, and therefore not get upset. "To err is human," as the saying goes, only some divine higher power is perfect and does not make mistakes. See Anger, Criticize.

If you want the mistake to not be repeated, what you must do is to avoid criticizing, complaining or getting angry. Any of those will defeat your purpose. Remind the person that "You do not have to be bad to get better," meaning that anyone can improve, then make a positive and supportive recommendation for avoiding the mistake or otherwise improving.   See Sandwich.

A mistake is not a failure; relax. A failure is not a disaster; relax. A disaster is not the end of the world; relax. See: anger.

MOBILIZATION CYCLE

The mobilization cycle is a set of interventions by a mobilizer aimed at stimulating a community to engage in self-activities leading to increased self reliance.

It is called "cycle" in that the whole set of activities (which are in a logical and functional order) are repeated as long as necessary. See Mobilization Cycle and Mobilization Cycle Illustrations.

MOBILIZE

To mobilize is to produce action in a group or community.

Stimulation. Not exactly the same as organize, because action has to take place (people become mobile, moving) before it can be called mobilization.

Similar to social animation, except animation includes both the mobilizing and the organizing. See "Action."

MOBILIZER

A mobilizer is a person who mobilizes, ie. gets things moving. Social animator. Community development officer or assistant.

Community worker. Activist. Community participation promoter. See: To Be a Mobilizer.

MONEY

Money and wealth are not the same. Money is a cultural symbol that everyone must believe in if it is to be useful.

It can be used as a measure of wealth, a method of transferring or exchanging wealth, and a way to store wealth. (See "wealth," and Principles of Wealth).

Money is not wealth.

MONITORING

Monitoring is the regular observation, recording, analysing and reporting of activities and the results of those activities, in a project or similar activity. (See Monitoring).

MONITORING INDICATORS

Qualitative and quantitative criteria (signs) for measuring or assessing the achievements, or degrees of achievement of project activities, objectives and outputs.

They should be objectively verifiable.

See Measuring Strength for indicators of the desired results of community mobilizing, ie empowerment.

MOTIVATE

The word "motivation" indicates the willingness to work, or to get something done. The meaning has been corrupted when someone says she or he wants to be “motivated,” meaning that he or she wants payment. Cash is only one possible factor of motivation.

People can be motivated to do things on the basis of loyalty, or of love of person, family, lineage, tribe or country. Some one may be motivated to do things because they want to see the results (job satisfaction). Motivation is the desire to act, not the payment.

MULTILATERAL

Between more than two parties.

This is used where a donor country sends funds to multilateral organization such as the World Bank and the United Nations, which in turn administer aid donations to several recipient countries.

Canada's aid agency, CIDA, has a division called "Multilateral" which administers the donation of aid money to multilateral agencies, mainly the UN. Like the bilateral agencies, the multilateral agencies usually operate through local private enterprises as consultancies, to implement their projects. Compare with " Bilateral."

Multilateral agencies include those that are multi nation, including the United Nations and its many emergency response and developmental agencies (UNDP, Unicef, UNHCR, UNCHS, WHO, FAO, WFP). Multilateral also includes the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

MULTIPLIER EFFECT

Economists tell of the "multiplier effect."  Where new wealth is invested, the positive effect on the economy is more than the amount created.

As the new money is spent, those who receive it usualy spend most of it, and save part of it. Let us say they spent eighty per cent and saved twenty per cent. Then there is eighty units of new money in the economy, and the recievers spend eighty per cent of that and save twenty per cent. That continues until the amount injected into the economy may be as much as four to eight times the original investment.

MUSHROOM TREATMENT

How do you raise mushrooms? You "keep them in the dark and feed them cow manure."

This is a slang phrase meaning the opposite of transparency.

Usually a more rude phrase for male bovine faeces (slang for lies) is used instead of "cow manure."

© Copyright 1967, 1987, 2007 Phil Bartle
Web Design by Lourdes Sada

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Last update: 2015.10.06