Deliberative Processes in Social Policies: An Analysis of the Institutional Effectiveness of Management Councils from the Perception of Its Advisors

Abstract

This paper sought to situate relations between the State and civil society in the current context of Brazilian democracy in terms of the emergence of new social policy themes in the governmental agenda, focusing on the mechanisms established to guarantee the socio-state interface in these areas. The perception of the members of the National Council of Food Security, the National Council for Sustainable Rural Development and the National Council of Solidarity Economy on different dimensions of its operation was analyzed in order to understand its dynamics, structure and effectiveness (internal and external). From the systematization of the answers, it was possible to trace the perceptions of these representatives about the performance, evaluation of the operation and influence of the councils addressed in the governmental decision-making structure. Results show that civil society values and strives to consolidate direct democracy mechanisms, as in the case of public policy councils. However, the deliberative character of these boards and the lack of legal instruments to ensure greater power to influence its deliberations in decision making are real obstacles that weaken the potential proposition and building innovative projects in each area in which they relate.

Keywords

• social participation; management councils; public policy; participatory democracy; government agenda.