In the last decades the role, recognition and importance of Non-Governmental Development Organisations in development cooperation has increased significantly, both in the North and South. Although a number of these organisations depend strongly on national governments or international establishments, they do, in practice, command an appreciable autonomy. The growth of this sector took place in a period in which development paradigms and policies changed significantly. The New Policy Agenda (neo - liberal development model in combination with liberal democracy) has become the dominant paradigm. The fact that many in the NGDO-sector have embraced the New Policy Agenda is, according the authors, rather paradoxical while the 'Western civilisation project' finds itself in a deep crisis; in a number of places western dominance is heavily resisted; many development organisations in the North experience a 'mid-life crisis'. In this provocative book the authors examine the strength and weaknesses, opportunity and threats of private development organisations from North and South. Important issues such as the effectiveness of organisations, contribution to grass root democracy and the relationships between agencies from the South and North are examined in depth.