Conselho Municipal de Assistência Social de Juiz de Fora: trajetória híbrida, impactos ideo-políticos e prático-operativos

Abstract

The present study focuses on theoretical elaborations elucidating that the changes occurred in the process of development of the capitalism, which has culminated in the defense of the neoliberal idea, has also resulted in substantive modifications in the treatment of the social question, once that the minimum State has been dispensing itself from its responsibility of the social rights. These arguments also seek to clarify the Brazilian context, especially from the 1988 Constitution on, when it was established that the Social Assistance is one of the social rights, which is disposed in the Social Security. Thus, together with specific legislations which had the Organic Law on Social Assistance as a mark, in 1993, both the formal and legal apparatus are established, which include the deliberative councils, in the government’s three branches. Then, we sought to discuss about the participation and the social management, having the rights of the public social policies as an analytical object, particularizing the Local Council of Social Assistance of Juiz de Fora, which was established in 1996. The results obtained through documental sources and interviews with 11 counselors have indicated that the referred Council, which was constituted with permanent and extended deliberative competence, represents one of the spaces of articulation between the State and the civil society, and presents possibilities to contribute both to social control and participation building, which doesn’t exempt it from some contradictions.