Avaliação da trajetória da participação popular no ciclo de planejamento participativo de Fortaleza-CE (2014-2022)

Abstract

This research is based on a topic that has generated paradigmatic debates and which, since the 1970s, has demonstrated a diversity of ideals, from the broadest to the narrowest: participation. When treated from a broader perspective, participation incorporates the substantive ideals advocated by classic authors of participatory democracy. When confined to a restricted dimension, participation turns to consultative processes. In addition, the field of participation in recent decades has witnessed empirical experiences using information and communication technologies as a way of mitigating the limitations of participatory and representative democracy. Thus, given the multiple itineraries of the participatory democracy field, both in the national and local contexts, the general objective of this study was to evaluate the trajectory of popular participation within the scope of the Participatory Planning Cycle(CPP) in Fortaleza-CE, considering the period from 2014 to 2022. In order to achieve this, we sought to follow the theoretical-methodological assumptions of In-Depth Evaluation, in order to establish discussions anchored within a counter-hegemonic perspective of evaluation. To this end, a qualitative study was carried out, collecting data in the field from citizenship and social control agents in Fortaleza's 32nd territory (Conjunto Palmeiras and Jangurussu), as well as managers and technicians from the Social Participation Coordination, using techniques such as semi-structured interviews, forms and observation.. The results showed that the CPP was formulated as a policy to replace the old participatory budget, with new conceptual bases that departed from the principles and rules present in the institutional designs shaped by participatory democracy. It was also noted that the increase in ICTs in the participatory process led to a quantitative increase in the number of participants. However, this model of virtual participation has further reduced the moments of dialogue and public debate within the cycle. Thus, participation was directed towards an individualistic and instrumental matrix, whose focus became the moment of the vote, thus not differing from the dynamics of the electoral cycles of representative democracy.