Tension between Civil Society and State in Espírito Santo: reflections on a Democratic Radicalization

Abstract

In this article we analyze three distinct relations between civil society's organizations and State and its consequences for a further democratic development and control. In accordance with Laclau and Mouffe, our analysis departs from the Radical Democracy Theory, for which tensioned relations are inherent and salutary to democratic systems. We found that tensioned relations are presented either as specific conflicts over the meanings of what would be the "State" and certain political projects, either as partnerships.

Keywords

• state
• civil society
• public sphere
• tensioning