The end of a cicle? Reflections about rural settlements in São Paulo state

Abstract

This work is the result of a survey into the relationship between rural settlements infrastructure and economic development in São Paulo (Brazil) and it makes comparisons between Araraquara and Pontal do Paranapanema areas. This paper proposes a study of group dynamics with the social relations model seeking to understand the socio-political contexts in which the settlements are integrated. We discussed the particular circumstances that have caused social tensions, emphasizing the settled families, social movements, technicians and public managers, the presence of agro-industrial complexes, and other regional economic agents. An examination of different types of partnerships with the agro-industrial complexes – for production of commodities – was performed and, as indicative of new perspectives, other forms of improvement and the integration of settlements in urban areas through public policies for food security. Accordingly, we seek to give the study an interdisciplinary character, integrating dimensions of social, environmental and economic analysis on these processes.