Power, Platforms & Participation

5 Star Review

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Editorial Book Review:

By OM Minetta

Some novels tell you about the world, while others gently ask you to enter it. Power, Platforms & Participation does both. It shows how voices are formed, amplified, and sometimes ignored in the systems that promise connection. Mayada El Zoghbi doesn't use the word "participation" as a buzzword in the first few pages. Instead, she talks about it as something that people do that has weight, risk, and possibilities.

Reading this book feels like sitting in on a thoughtful, wide ranging conversation with someone who has spent years listening closely. Each chapter has a consistent sense of wonder, along with a solid understanding of how platforms can both help and hurt at the same time. The emotional draw comes from the real stories that are weaved into the analysis, where politics, technology, and human hope come together in ways that feel both important and very personal.

The book is actually about who gets to talk, who gets heard, and what it truly means to be part of systems that say they are open. These themes go beyond just digital platforms and include concepts like community, trust, and the subtle power dynamics that shape everyday life. It makes sense whether you work in technology, development, or just care about how people fit into wider conversations.

Mayada El Zoghbi’s writing style is clear without feeling distant, balancing thoughtful research with an accessible, almost conversational tone. The format softly leads you from huge ideas to useful thoughts, making hard-to-understand subjects seem easier to grasp. Some of the most powerful moments happen when she stops on one example and lets its effects spread out, showing how even tiny design choices or policy changes can have a big effect on people's lives.

Some parts of the book may feel too detailed for anyone who want a quick, light read, but for those who are prepared to take their time, that depth is part of the reward. It makes you think instead of jumping to assumptions.

By the end of the book, you will be more aware of your own part in the platforms you use every day, as well as more curious and aware of what they do. It is a well-written and topical piece that sticks with you. It doesn't tell you what to think; instead, it makes you think more deeply about how participation really works and where your own voice fits in.

About the Author 

Mayada El-Zoghbi

Mayada began her career setting up inclusive financial institutions in various countries including the Palestinian Territories, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Kosovo. In 2002, she founded a development consulting firm and led evaluation, research and technical assistance projects in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, and the Middle East.