Engaging Citizens in Governance: Lessons from Brazil鈥檚 Democratic Experiments
Abstract
In the two decades since military rule ended in Brazil, there has been a remarkable flowering of new democratic practices and spaces for participation. Brazil鈥檚 1988 鈥楥itizens鈥� Constitution鈥� created the legal basis for some of the world鈥檚 most progressive democratic institutions. Democratic innovations such as participatory budgeting (or莽amento participativo) have brought Brazil to the forefront of debates on tackling democratic deficits through participatory governance. Brazil鈥檚 social movements and left-wing political parties have played an active part in this process of democratisation, engaging citizens in making demands on the state and claiming their rights, and promoting new, expanded understandings of citizenship and democracy. This briefing discusses Brazil's experiences with participation in governance, and what lessons may be offered to other countries.
Citation
11 pp.
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