Patterns of interaction between social movements and participatory institutions in the Brazilian policy subsystems

In the post-constitution period, up to 2013, a consensus was established in Brazil about the idea and practice of social participation. The study agenda on the subject was no longer focused on social movements but, rather, on the analysis of the dynamics of civil society and formal arenas of participation that embrace representatives of civil society and state. The shift marked the institutionalist turn in the studies of social participation in Brazil. Large demonstrations against the ongoing austerity policies in Brazil, as in other countries, mark an inflection in this study agenda. Social participation within the participatory institutions has been criticised, and a new turn has emerged. By recognizing those changes, this paper comparatively describes and explains if, how and to what extent different patterns of participation are mixed in order to guarantee social rights in health, housing, and policies for women policy subsystems in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais.