Is e-governance a function of government or media? Some directions for future research and development of electronically mediated citizen participation

Citizen participation, enabled by electronic means, grows, in parallel with government's apparent failure to promote it. Organisations such as Getup and Moveon flourish; the BBC announced in 2003 that 'Internet-based political activism is happening...The BBC wants to help a wider audience find their voice by tackling obstacles to greater participation' (http://www.opendemocracy.net). (Kevill, 2003). Such actions echo, perhaps, the enthusiastic adoption of the Internet by activist media groups, particularly Indymedia. This paper presents a response to this situation. It provides a richer account of the contradictory rise of e-government without e-governance, and examines the potential for media-based participatory engagement to complement e-government. It presents two models of the future of electronically mediated citizen engagement: the first involving agonistic relations between government and citizenry, with civic participation occurring outside of government-approved forums; the second involving the intimate linking of governmental transactions to participation by those citizens engaged in them. Finally it will outline mechanisms for researching the capacity of either or both models to sustain effective participation.

O Congresso Nacional: alternativas de representação politica e paradigmas eleitorais

Este trabalho visa analisar a estrutura de funcionamento do Sistema Eleitoral Brasileiro. Sistema este que - procuro demonstrar - não valoriza os partidos políticos como canais apropriados de interação entre Sociedade e Estado. Desta realidade, é decorrente o fato de existirem, no Brasil, muitos partidos políticos inorgânicos - quanto às ações -, e frágeis - quanto à representatividade. É hipótese básica desta obra o fato de existirem grupos políticos que se beneficiam de práticas nocivas à democracia participativa, via sistema eleitoral. Assim sendo, a realidade auferida nas urnas é distinta da realidade da representação política. O Congresso Nacional, locus que é objeto das maiores distorções, é o meu ponto de referência para este estudo. É a partir deste centro de poder político que se pode vislumbrar o modo de reprodução, em outras esferas de poder, da engenharia institucional existente. A metodologia deste estudo é seccionada em duas partes: . Na parte teórica (capítulos II e III), procuro fazer uma análise comparativa entre as propostas passíveis - a cada item - de adoção, posicionando-me em relação às mesmas. . Na parte prática (capítulo IV), elaboro uma proposta de agenda para reformas no sistema eleitoral, condizentes com o que foi estudado anteriormente.

Conselheiros municipais e vereadores : luta por reconhecimento na esfera pública

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi analisar como conselheiros municipais e vereadores do Recife reconhecem o direito à participação na gestão pública e o direito à representação eleitoral e às funções daí decorrentes. Deste modo, podem-se observar os impactos ocasionados pela instância de participação em uma instituição tradicional de representação política, de modo a aperfeiçoar o modelo de Gestão Social. A análise foi realizada à luz da teoria do reconhecimento, especificamente as ideias de Axel Honneth. Para tanto, foram aplicados questionários e realizadas entrevistas com conselheiros e vereadores do Município, assim como foram analisados documentos da Câmara. Observou-se que ambos os grupos mostram-se favoráveis ao diálogo entre as instâncias, apesar dos conflitos que ainda precisam ser vencidos. Vereadores têm assento nos conselhos, apesar de que a participação não acontece na prática. Concluiu-se que o reconhecimento não ocorre em sua integralidade, sendo uma luta em construção.

Iniciativa popular na concretização do direito fundamental à democracia

The Participatory Democracy is disseminated throughout the Principle of Popular Sovereignty. Since it spurs the participation of the people in the exercise of political power, it emerges as a conciliatory alternative to the Representative Regime - one of questionable legitimacy in account of the distortion it causes on the will of the public. It does so specially vis-à-vis the legislative, where the law is created. It s known that our Constitution (arts. 1º e 14, CF/88) provides for the means through which the members of the public may take part in the political process of the country, for it consecrates the plebiscite, the referendum and the popular initiative, all of them incipiently regulated by the Lei nº 9.709/98. It s our task, thus, to inquire, through deductive reasoning as well as the legal exegeses, the enforceability of the Popular Initiative as a means of popular emancipation, given that it enables the citizens to conscientiously participate in the public sphere. It has also an educational ethos which builds the capacity of individual to act, and, therefore, through thoughtful choices, enhance the legal system. Furthermore, the Lei da Ficha Limpa (LC nº 135/2010) surely represents a milestone in the Brazilian political history, since it accrued from a new way of social interaction allowed by the usage of communication technology on the pursuit of political morality. As a matter of fact, this bill is a clear example of how a legal act was legitimately proposed through Public Initiative. Hence, it s beneficial to actually make use of the Public Initiative, under the influence of the New Constitutional Hermeneutics, with a view to supporting social claims and promoting a dialogical relationship with the State in order to help it in the decisionmaking process. Thereat, we can achieve important civic spaces through which the fundamental right to democracy shall be materialized, tearing apart the old paradigms of inequality and, thus, promoting social justice

Análise do processo judicial eletrônico (PJe) sob os parâmetros da discursividade processual e do acesso democrático à justiça

The conceptions of the judicial function, the process and the factors of legitimacy of the norm of decision are changed according to the model of State (liberal, social democratic and constitutional). The right of access to justice, likewise, follows the ideals present in constitutional movements experienced in different historical moments. The deficit of legitimacy of the judiciary is recurring subject of study in the doctrine, especially in the face of democratic standards that permeate the current paradigm of state. Under the process law, the essential element for the distinction of the states based on the rule of law (formal and material) and the democratic constitutional state lies in the democratic guarantee of participation to the litigants in the process of elaborating the norm of decision. The concern about the participatory democracy and the concretion of fundamental rights has as presupposition the conception of popular sovereignty. Keeping this effort in mind, the civil procedure cannot be oblivious to such considerations, especially when it justifies its constitutional conformation from the institutionalization of discourse within the procedural field (democratic principle) and of the democratization of access to justice, leading to the necessary contestation of the theory of instrumentality of the process. The democratic prospects of civil procedure and the concern about the legitimacy of the rule of decision cannot be moved away from the analysis of the judicial function and the elements that influence the legal suit s progress. The computerization of the judicial process entails extensive modification in the way the judicial function is developed, in view of automation of activities held, of the eliminating of bureaucratic tasks, manual and repetitive, and of streamlining the procedure. The objective of this study is to analyze the dogmatic changes and resulting practices from the implementation of the Judicial Electronic Process (JEP), prepared by the National Council of Justice, under the parameters of procedural discourse and democratic access to justice. Two hypotheses are raised, which, based on a bibliographic-documentary, applied and exploratory research, are contested dialectically. The expansion of publicity of procedural acts and the facilitating of communication and practice of such acts are elements that contribute to the effective participation of the recipients of the norm of decision in its making process and, therefore, the democratic principle in the procedural field. Ensuring access (to the parts) to the case files and reasonable duration of the process along with the preservation of its founding principles (contradictory, legal defense and isonomy) are essential to ensure democratic access to justice within the virtual system

Democracia participativa e regulação econômica: uma questão de legitimidade

This work presents an analysis about the legitimation of independent regulatory commission`s rulemaking power by participation procedure. It is observed that political and administrative decentralization and fragmentation of State, with the purpose of approaching citizens and provide, more efficiently, the functions acquired by the passage of the Welfare State, leads to a deficit of legitimacy (democratic crisis), which is noticeable in the making of legal norms by directors of independent regulatory commission to regulate specific economic sector. However, we understand that this crisis stems from the observation of the contemporary world from dogmas and legal institutions of the eighteenth century, without their evolution and adaptation to the modern world. The legitimacy must be perceived as the justification of power, relation command /obedience, which, from the Modern State, has the democracy as standard. Therefore, just as the world has evolved and demanded political and administrative decentralization to accompany him, it is necessary to the development of the idea of representative democracy (formal legitimacy) to participatory democracy (legitimacy stuff). Legitimacy is not confused with the legality: as the legality is on observance to internal legal system, the "rules of play"; legitimacy, as inputs to be fed into this system, the selection of the different expectations in the environment. Nevertheless, the legitimacy will take place by legality, through introduction of rational and communicative procedures: procedures get fundamental importance because these will be the means to select the expectations to be introduced in the legal system in order to make decisions more fair, rational and qualified towards society. Thus, it is necessary to its opening to the environment for dialogue with the government. In this context, we try to make an analysis of constitutional norms based on systematic and teleological interpretation of these norms to build these arguments. According to the Constitution of 1988, participatory democracy is a result of the democratic principle (sole paragraph of art. 1 of the Constitution), and it is an expression of citizenship and political pluralism, both foundations of Republic (respectively Art. 1st, inc . V and II of the Constitution), as well as the national consciousness. From another point of view, that principle consists of an evolution in the management public affairs (principle of Republic). The right of interested participate in the rulemaking process derives both the principle of popular participation (part of the democratic principle) and the republican principle as the due process constitutional (art. 5, LIV and LV, CF/88) and the right to petition (Art . 5 °, inc. XXXIV, "a", CF/88), and it is the duty of the State not only be open to participation and encourage it. Ignoring stakeholder involvement in procedures and / or expressions compiled can be causes of invalidation of the rule of law produced by addiction of procedure, motive, motivation and/or because of the administrative act. Finally, we conclude that the involvement of stakeholders in the process of making rules within the independent regulatory commission is the legitimacy and the validity of rules; and that, despite of the expressions do not bind the decision making, they will enter the system as juridical fact, balancing the field of technical discretionary of agencies

O CME do município de Ananindeua na construção da política educacional: a busca pela participação social

O Estudo denominado o CME do Município de Ananindeua na Construção da Política Educacional: a busca pela participação social. Teve como objetivos: analisar como a participação da sociedade civil organizada por meio de seus diferentes representantes vem sendo construída no interior do Conselho Municipal de Educação na tentativa de construir uma política educacional com base nos princípios de democracia participativa; analisar como a participação da sociedade civil organizada vem sendo oportunizada na construção da política educacional por meio do CME/Ananindeua; analisar a atuação do CME na promoção de uma política educacional na busca pela promoção da participação social e analisar como vem sendo desenvolvida à relação do CME com os demais elementos que compõe o Sistema Municipal de Ensino na construção da política educacional. Análise Documental e Entrevistas semi-estruturadas foram os instrumentos utilizados para responder os objetivos explicitados. O tratamento dos dados foi possível através de análise de conteúdo (investigação bibliográfica) e análise das fontes primárias (Atas; Leis Decretos; Pareceres; Regimento Interno). Os resultados alcançados com a investigação nos levam a inferir que a participação social como princípio educativo no interior do CME em Ananindeua vem sendo construída de forma gradual, uma vez que a democratização da gestão educacional por meio da participação direta, tanto no chão da escola como nos outros elementos que compõem o sistema educacional é um processo que precisa ser construído cotidianamente no coletivo. No caso da participação da sociedade no CME através das diversas categorias representadas vem se constituindo um desafio, pois os conflitos, as tensões, correlações de forças, disputa de poder estão sempre presentes. Esse fato em algumas circunstâncias é positivo uma vez que também é possível a construção de política educacional em meio à diversidade de opiniões. As categorias da sociedade civil organizada e representada no CME apresentam diferentes graus de participação, algumas participam mais ativamente enquanto outras têm uma menor atuação no momento de reuniões de Câmara e Plenárias onde são debatidas e feitas as proposições no que tange a construção da política educacional em Ananindeua. A falta de formação teórica, pedagógica e política em alguns casos servem como fator que limita a participação social nas ações do CME.

Ouvidoria do SUS: um instrumento de gestão participativa?

Nesta dissertação discute-se a ouvidoria pública brasileira quanto mecanismo de defesa dos direitos dos cidadãos, especificamente a Ouvidoria do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) no estado do Pará e se esta constitui-se enquanto um instrumento de gestão participativa, conforme preconiza o Ministério da Saúde. No estudo observaram-se os processos de implantação, implementação e descentralização no âmbito da gestão estadual da política pública no estado do Pará. Adotou-se abordagem qualitativa que possibilitou à investigação dos processos de relações sociais, cujos dados puderam ser obtidos através de documentos e entrevistas com os sujeitos envolvidos no tema em questão. Evidencia-se que a ouvidoria pública, como qualquer aparelho estatal é um espaço de luta política, desta forma teceu-se considerações sobre o Estado a partir de Marx, Gramsci e Poulantzas, destacando a reforma sofrida pelo Estado brasileiro dos anos 1990, a qual Behring caracterizou de contrarreforma por conta de sua tendência a amortizar direitos sociais e trabalhistas já conquistados. Em seguida apresentam-se pontos de vista diferente em relação à chamada democracia participativa que pode se identificar tanto com o pensamento liberal reformado ou colocar-se na perspectiva transformadora da sociedade por meio da radicalização da democracia. Embasado na matriz teórica marxista analisa-se a literatura existente sobre a ouvidoria pública e apresenta-se a Política Nacional de Gestão Estratégica e Participativa do SUS, cuja ouvidoria é um dos seus elementos. Os resultados mostraram que a forma como a Ouvidoria do SUS foi concebida e a concepção de participação adotada por esta a qual limitase a um mero instrumento de aferição da satisfação dos usuários são sem dúvida os principais obstáculos para que a Ouvidoria seja, de fato, um instrumento de gestão participativa.

A experiência do orçamento participativo em Campinas sob a ótica da comunicação pública

This paper analyzes the experience of Participatory Budgeting (PB) in the city of Campinas (SP) from the perspective of public communication, understand it as an important factor to increase the participation of social actors in decision-making processes. The democratization process in Brazil was the springboard for a change in the relations between state and society. In line with the new democratic demands, the OP appears to be the possibility of linkage between representative democracy and participatory democracy. As methodological procedure was used the case study of OP in Campinas from 2001 to 20011, comparing the administrations of two different political parties: PT (2001-2004), under the governments of Antonio da Costa dos Santos and Izalene Tiene, and PDT, with the consecutive term of Hélio de Oliveira Santos (2005-2011). We sought to assess whit this research if the communication actions used by different public administrations achieve the public interest adequately, encouraging popular participation

Presupuestos participativos (PPs) e instituciones participativas (IPs) en Brasil: criterios (y marco) para la evaluación de experiencias y casos

This paper identifies relevant criteria for evaluation of participatory budgeting and participatory institutions that are currently adopted by governments of both Brazil and elsewhere, highlighting the importance of a comprehensive assessment that integrates all these criteria. Finally, it is recommended to pay special attention to assessing the desirability of these institutions, which are not always positively for theories on democracy

Estudos sobre as instituições participativas: o debate sobre sua efetividade

The main purpose of this article is to introduce the debate on the effectiveness of the participatory institutions in Brazil. At first, it will bring the very early debate about participatory democracy and deliberative democracy. Afterwards, the article will show how international literature impacts studies on the democratic transition in Brazil, trying to delineate the borders, limitations and advances of Brazilian literature about the theme. In the last part, the main topics of debate on the effectiveness of participatory institutions - methods and instruments of evaluation - will be pointed out

Acesso às informações de saúde e inclusão digital: a percepção dos Conselheiros Municipais de Saúde de Botucatu - SP

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Educating...for what?: Engagement and Citizenry

Higgins School of the Humanities/Difficult Dialogues: Video Recording from 11/3/2011 event featuring Tom Hayden and Bob Ross "Engagement and Citizenry" Event Description: During their undergraduate years, students participate in a community that is a microcosm of society, and have the opportunity to learn about what it means to be a member of a society—a citizen—while they live it. How do we as educators (and humanists) best support and model this process? Where in our pedagogy can we enhance and develop the qualities of skillful empathy, effective analysis and motivated responsibility that good citizenship demands? Our guest for a conversation on engagement and citizenry is long-time activist Tom Hayden, who was the primary author of the Port Huron Statement of Students for a Democratic Society, which became known for its advocacy of “participatory democracy”. He is joined in conversation by Professor Bob Ross of Clark University, who participated with Hayden in the founding of SDS.