Participatory Democracy in Brazil and Local Geographies: Porto Alegre and Belo Horizonte Compared

European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies, 83, pp. 19-41, October 2007

23 Pages Posted: 17 Jul 2013

See all articles by Terence Wood

Terence Wood

Australian National University (ANU) - Crawford School of Public Policy

Warwick Murray

Victoria University of Wellington - Te Herenga Waka

Date Written: October 1, 2007

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative evaluation of the participatory budgeting experience in Porto Alegre and Belo Horizonte, drawing conclusions with respect to how local circumstances, or geographies, can affect outcomes. The rationale for this geographical approach is that, while the concept of participatory budgeting is now spreading globally, studies of the system have been primarily limited to Porto Alegre. There have been fewer studies of the phenomenon in other Brazilian cities or which are comparative or geographical in scope. It then presents the results of our comparative study of participatory budgeting in Porto Alegre and Belo Horizonte. These results lead us to conclude that outcomes of participatory budgets are partly determined by the differentiated social, political and economic conditions that form the local context.

Keywords: participatory budgeting, Brazil

Suggested Citation

Wood, Terence and Murray, Warwick, Participatory Democracy in Brazil and Local Geographies: Porto Alegre and Belo Horizonte Compared (October 1, 2007). European Review of Latin American and Caribbean Studies, 83, pp. 19-41, October 2007, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2294738

Terence Wood (Contact Author)

Australian National University (ANU) - Crawford School of Public Policy ( email )

7 Liversidge Street
Lennox Crossing
Canberra, Australian Capital Territory ACT 0200
Australia

Warwick Murray

Victoria University of Wellington - Te Herenga Waka ( email )

P.O. Box 600
Wellington, 6140
New Zealand

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