The participatory institutions in the current Lula government

Abstract

The article examines the resurgence of Participatory Institutions (PIs) under the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, considering the dismantling that occurred in previous administrations. The qualitative research uses process tracing, specifically causal process observations (CPOs), to investigate the current role of National Councils and Conferences. Data from ministry websites, legislative norms, and news show that 65.8% of ministries have PIs, with notable focus on Human Rights, Environment, and Health. The study highlights the growth of advisory councils, but points to their vulnerability to the Executive’s agenda. In contrast, there is an effort to expand participation through conferences, with 23 events already held or scheduled until 2025. The analysis concludes that, although still in a phase of reconstruction, the government aims to strengthen participatory policy as a strategy for democratic legitimacy, utilizing digital tools and promoting greater interaction between the state and civil society.