Organização e atuação de associações de moradores de Lavras, MG: distâncias e relações

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the relations between residents associations and the local government. We also sought to deep understand the historical trajectory of two associations which operate in their own communities and the way how they influence their organization, and relation with other associations, civil society organizations and the local government. Based on the theoretical framework of the participation, civil society, and associativism, we sought to show how the literature deals with participation in the neighborhood associations and the way how these associations could impact in the municipal public management, and local democracy. An initial characterization of the municipal associative network revealed that the majority of existing associations do not operate. Among formal operating associations, two were selected for a case study, which encloses documental research and observation during regular and extraordinary meetings. Nine interviews were performed seeking to understand how these associations are organized and how they operate. According to results, these associations can establish links with various political and social actors by means of small group of people who compose them. In addition, there is a plurality of interests, as well as the use of strategies to keep the continuity of relations with the local government, even resorting to supposed neutrality and excessive offices of appreciation, which denote maintenance of those relations with the local government, since the creation of these associations, which favor the publicization of communities’ demand, although counting upon many constraints to comply such demands. The characterization carried out via Federal Revenue data is pointed out to be the limit of this study, without considering informal associations, as well as the focus on the perception of communities’ representatives, to the detriment of those represented. Therefore, this study brings us contributions for the initial understanding of the neighborhood associativism in the municipality and its relation with the local government, and strategies used in this relation.