County Councils for Rural Development (CCRD) and democratic construction: an open debate between agricultural families and the state?

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the role of County Council for Rural Development (CCRD) as innovation agents in managing public policies for rural development. Specifically, it intends to set a reflection about the appointments between agricultural families and the State, in relation to the how those engagements might contribute for generating a public sphere of debate for the democracy. For empirical references, some studies which analyses those Councils were taken. It was observed that one of the remarkable characteristics of those Councils, in terms of democratization, is the definition of the need for favored participation of agricultural families by the PRONAF . It is shown that formally this has been occurring, however it was also concluded that mere parity does not mean power equality. Technical knowledge, the comprehension of the bureaucracy, and others aspects are factors related to the distinction among Council members, privileging the governmental participant. However, RDCC regarded as an interactive space attending to several interests, socializes and politicizes people, not just a battlefield for power.