Uma análise reflexiva do orçamento participativo digital (2017-2020) do município de Volta Redonda e sua efetividade como ferramenta de participação social

Abstract

The Public Administration is responsible for managing public resources and, through the budget, for increasing efficiency, transparency and governance. On the other hand, the citizen who, through citizenship, seeks to be part of the decision-making process on public policies. Thus, the Participatory Budget emerges as a governmental instrument for democratic innovation and insertion of social participation; it does not qualify its effectiveness for strengthening democracy, governance and empowerment. These questions were guided in this present dissertation, having as a study the Participatory Budget of the municipality of Volta Redonda, since the city has a history of popular mobilization. Social unequalities and discredit in democratic systems of participation are present in many cities, so the objective of this work was to analyze this hybrid model, implemented from 2017, mainly in the form of digital voting, and what is the main participation of this tool in social participation. Therefore, we proceeded with a qualitative approach, using the following methods: document analysis, literature review, semi-structured interview and direct observation. Our research results, based on the understanding of the hybrid model of the OP-VR, highlighting the OPD-VR, pointed out that this digital tool, using it as a mechanism for social inclusion, but creating forms of instruments for participation and individualism, such as voting, has not produced effective results for those who are usually on the sidelines of politics through conventional means. Therefore, we were able to conclude that the contributions of the OPD-VR to the effectiveness of social participation in the municipality of Volta Redonda, in its relations with local development and public problems indicated, were not effective as proposed by the municipal administration.The Public Administration is responsible for managing public resources and, through the budget, for increasing efficiency, transparency and governance. On the other hand, the citizen who, through citizenship, seeks to be part of the decision-making process on public policies. Thus, the Participatory Budget emerges as a governmental instrument for democratic innovation and insertion of social participation; it does not qualify its effectiveness for strengthening democracy, governance and empowerment. These questions were guided in this present dissertation, having as a study the Participatory Budget of the municipality of Volta Redonda, since the city has a history of popular mobilization. Social unequalities and discredit in democratic systems of participation are present in many cities, so the objective of this work was to analyze this hybrid model, implemented from 2017, mainly in the form of digital voting, and what is the main participation of this tool in social participation. Therefore, we proceeded with a qualitative approach, using the following methods: document analysis, literature review, semi-structured interview and direct observation. Our research results, based on the understanding of the hybrid model of the OP-VR, highlighting the OPD-VR, pointed out that this digital tool, using it as a mechanism for social inclusion, but creating forms of instruments for participation and individualism, such as voting, has not produced effective results for those who are usually on the sidelines of politics through conventional means. Therefore, we were able to conclude that the contributions of the OPD-VR to the effectiveness of social participation in the municipality of Volta Redonda, in its relations with local development and public problems indicated, were not effective as proposed by the municipal administration.