The patterns of participation

the formative dimension and the multiplicity of brazilian civil society

Abstract

Social participation in Brazil has varied between expansion and setbacks, accompanied by a densification of civil society. In the theoretical sphere, various effects of participatory practice have been identified, even highlighting the complexity of the country's civil society, which includes organizations of very diverse natures. This study, based on focus group data, focuses on the patterns of participatory dynamics in the country, especially in its formative dimension, seeking new analytical and empirical perspectives to understand the structure of contemporary civil society. The article aims to examine how different activists interpret their experiences of participation and the role that participation plays in the formation and action of these individuals. The data shows that, in order to understand the different formative effects of participation, it is necessary to pay attention to the multiplicity of civil society organizations and, above all, to the patterns of engagement that exist among activists.