[영문]This article presents a comparative analysis of client participation(CP) in child welfare and mental health and mental retardationsystems. It identifies three rationales for client participation(philosophical, pragmatic, and political), along with the limitationssurrounding each rationale. It uses social construction theory toexamine the historical and ideological underpinnings of organized,institutionally-sanctioned client involvement inside and outsidegovernment. In order to enhance the capacity of clients to influenceservice and benefit systems, their role must evolve throughthe mutual efforts of government?strengthening client participationpolicies and independent organizing from the bottomup through community development and advocacy programs