Bloc in power, political participation, and educational policy in São Gonçalo/RJ, in the context of bolsonarism

Abstract

This essay addresses the current state of the bloc in power in the city of São Gonçalo, State of Rio de Janeiro, focusing on analyzing spaces of political participation and development of educational policies, in the Bolsonarist context in force in the national and local levels. The disputes between class fractions and peoples’ struggles are highlighted. Data on bills referring to changes in the career plan for education workers; description of sessions held at the City Council; activities of the city of São Gonçalo’s Educational Board; the 2018 elections; the 2020 municipal elections; and the type of condensation of power struggles in the State are covered. The investigation was conducted through participant observations, employing the category of political participation, in light of Nicos Poulantzas’ theory of the State. Initial findings indicate that this type of Bolsonarism presents a relevant level of hegemony, and that the analysis of the educational policy helps us explain the heart of the matter.