Um estudo sobre as formas de representar na Câmara Municipal de Salvador (2021-2024)

Abstract

This thesis aims to delve deeper into the relationship of representation through a study of the City Council in the 19th legislative term (2021-2024). To this end, we are guided by the theory of political representation to understand the links between representatives and those they represent, particularly Pollak's questions about “who,” “what,” and “how” they represent. Furthermore, we draw on studies on the relationship between state and society in Brazil and research on city councils, as well as the legislative output of the period studied. Thus, to achieve our objective, we use as secondary data the four most frequently used proposals of the city council — nomination bill, bill of law, motion, and request. We observe how council members use these proposals and we also thematically categorize the bills and nominations, evaluating their functions. These instruments play a role in the consolidation of formal social rights. Furthermore, we conducted semi-structured interviews with council members and advisors from different political backgrounds, genders, professions, and paths. It is clear that the population's main demands are material, related to survival. However, incumbent councilors, due to their relationship with the Executive, are better able to meet them. In this sense, the base councilors interviewed are more responsive to services and resource allocation. Opposition councilors tend to be more politically and symbolically responsive and report receiving demands for bills. Moreover, we observed that left-wing mandates tend to be more open-minded, considering social segments in their mandates. Thus, they differ in “how” they represent, by constructing their mandates more inclusively and by bringing those they represent into institutional spaces.