Sociedade civil em foco: Forma e conteúdo das organizações civis em Guarapuava (PR)

Abstract

This study aims to analyse the form and content of civil society organizations in the particular context of a local reality of the city of Guarapuava (PR). More specifically, in order to identify democratic perspectives developed from the practices of civil organizations in relation with the State. The Gramscian theoretical framework is the foundation from which the analytical categories are developed. Therefore, the general objective of the research is to understand democratic perspectives in the local space through the analysis of the form and content of civil society organizations in Guarapuava (PR). The research sample comprises civil organizations of public purposes classified according to the typology developed for the study. Due to the characteristic of the object, the research is of a qualitative nature which used the following research instruments to reach its objectives: systematic literature review, documentary analysis, semi-structured interview, unsystematic observation and category analysis. The thesis is organized in three chapters. In the first one, conceptual elements are developed in the categories: State, civil society and democracy based on the Gramscian theoretical reference. On the same theoretical basis, the second chapter presents national contextual elements: the various expressions assumed by the Brazilian civil society after redemocratization as well as conjunctural determinations of the beginning of the 21st century. The last chapter enters into the empirical universe of research composed of local contextual elements, and presents the analysis of the configuration of the organizational universe of civil society in Guarapuava. In light of the theoretical foundations, the findings of the research highlight, with reference to democratic parameters, that the objectives, practices and results produced by the organizations are not limited to specific formations. Moreover, their established relationship expresses both marks of a conservatism that unfolds in disarticulation called "gelatinous", and elements of a civil organization to be strengthened. By relating to the state, the organizations manifest their instrumentalization under neoliberal hegemony, locating their practices within the scope of "small politics", although containing positions of resistance and confrontation; what reflect a "disguised-like" democracy, which is a product of a non homogeneous process and also show the germs of elaboration of other consensuses.