Os conselhos municipais como instrumento de democracia participativa: análise do conselho municipal de educação de Juiz de Fora

Abstract

The present work analyzes the Municipal Council of Education as new instance of democratic participation, to the extent that represent local governments in recent attempts to broaden participation in its decision-making centers. Try with this study outline the institutional characteristics of the municipal councils in the light of current legislation, framing them as instruments of participatory democracy in the country. Initially presents theoretical aspects of democracy to then stick to the study of the Municipal Council of Education. In particular, we are interested to understand the structure and functioning of the Council, paying attention to its effectiveness as a participatory mechanism. The research carried out by analyzing the minutes of that Council, pertaining to the period from February of 2007 to December of 2012, the Council points out that the study faces several problems, which appear as obstacles to its effectiveness as a real participatory channel. Thus, comparing the theoretical analysis performed on municipal councils and research practice elaborate on the Municipal Council of Education in Juiz de Fora, stresses that the objective of this Council was not fully achieved. Occurs, however, that these obstacles do not draw a great potential for the participation of these instances, which should be improved.