Conselho Popular de Vitória : formação e trajetória de um movimento, 1986-2004

Abstract

This paper is a case study about the CPV (Vitória Popular Council) organization that represents the resident associations in the city of Vitória from its foundation and in 1986 to 2004. Based on authors who studied the political participation of civil societies in the 1980s and 90s, the aim is to perform an analysis to specify the acting profile of this movement in terms of interest and demand; its role in the movements of the neighborhoods it represents and its relation with the city government. The study strategy adopted qualitative methodology, which allows understanding particular phenomena, facts and procedures of small groups. Results showed that CPV, throughout its history, has changed its acting focus. If in the 80s the movement had a more independent position towards the city government, in the 90s it took a position closer to the government, strengthened by the opening process and institutionalization of channels of participation. Nevertheless, this posture would lead to an extremely fragile relation with the government and neighborhood entities, throughout the years. Since the CPV has had a position of government s partner and legitimator of actions, it has quit being an operator of the civil society s demands and become a government collaborator.