Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines the politics, culture, and day-to-day activities of Porto Alegre's citizens. It argues that the Brazilian town's importance may lie not just with its effective governance, but with its political logic, namely a greater access to government functions and government officials for traditionally disenfranchised citizens.
Trade Review"This is far and away the best work on governance in Porto Alegre, the paradigmatic case for contemporary democratic participation. It will be read and reread by researchers and activists alike." -- Peter Evans, University of California * Berkeley *
"Finally, after all the hype, we have a real account of the Porto Alegre experiment in participatory democracy, how the subaltern can indeed speak and be heard, how a public sphere can give a political space to the poor and illiterate and not just the privileged and educated, how popular control of municipal budgets engenders a vibrant civil society and a responsive government that advances material welfare.
Militants and Citizens puts political theory to work in an ethnographic tour de force. This is essential reading for a depressed American public that can no longer remember the meaning of democracy." -- Michael Burawoy * University of California, Berkeley *
Table of ContentsContents List of Illustrations 000 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations 000 Preface 000 1. "Attention Compaheiros!" 1 2. A City Transformed 000 3. New Actors and New Competencies 000 4. Deliberative Repertoires 000 5. Emergent Public Spheres 000 6. Militants and Citizens 000 7. The Civic is the Political 000 Methodological Appendix 000 Glossary 000 References Index
