Presentation
The Impact of Participatory Governance on Social Well-Being: Evidence from Policy Councils in 5500 Brazilian Municipalities
SPA Colloquium Series, Arizona State University [Phoenix, AZ]
(2015)
Abstract
Democracy, according to its advocates as well as a larger body of research, works to improve well-being. But what is it about democratic institutions that enhance the quality of its citizens lives? This study shows that Brazilian municipalities with more active participatory democratic institutions, stronger constellations of new social programs, and more capable local administrative practices are associated with higher levels of social well-being than other municipalities. It evaluates connections between local participatory governance, federal social programs and healthcare outcomes by drawing on an original dataset covering Brazil’s 5,570 municipalities. Much of the data extends back to 2000, but we have full coverage of all indicators between 2006 and 2013. This is the largest dataset on participatory democracy available in any context and the only one aligning key local aspects of participation, social programs, and administrative capacity with local outcomes. Municipalities that make an independent commitment (either voluntary adoption or more frequent meetings in federally induced meetings) to policy councils tend to perform better than those that do not. The evidence clearly and strongly demonstrates that the presence of public management councils have a profound and significant impact on improving social well-being.
Disciplines
Publication Date
December 2, 2015
Citation Information
Brian Wampler. "The Impact of Participatory Governance on Social Well-Being: Evidence from Policy Councils in 5500 Brazilian Municipalities" SPA Colloquium Series, Arizona State University [Phoenix, AZ] (2015) Available at: http://works.bepress.com/brian_wampler/34/