Reconfiguration du politique par la professionnalisation associative

Comparing two Palestinian associations, one “charitable”, the other “developmental”, this article traces the evolution of these associations’ political relations as a function of their relations with various other collective actors (political organizations, donors, the Palestinian Authority). At a time when the evolution of Palestinian NGOs dependent upon international aid is seen as a matter of "professionalization", which is to say, as a process of seeking specialization and political autonomy, these reconfigure politics according to an accepted paradigm of development, said to be universal. The "technocrats" who arise through this process, themselves become the mediators in the power field of a "Palestine-of-the-donors". The quest for specialization however, is rewarding to the extent that NGOs adhere to the universally accepted "post-conflict" reading of Palestinian social reality. Associations which are dependent upon political organizations and thus free of donor obligation are excluded from this configuration. The new political mantra, development, leaves little room for national and patriotic activist engagement.