by PublicABCP
Translated and reviewed by Matheus Lucas Hebling
The governance of social assistance policy in Brazilian metropolises is the central theme of the study Multilevel Governance of Social Policy: Social Services in Metropolises, conducted by Renata Mirandola Bichir, Adriana Aranha, and Maria Fernanda Aguilar Lara, researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP). The study examines how this policy is structured in two major Brazilian cities—São Paulo and Belo Horizonte. Drawing on the concept of “multilevel governance,” the article explores interactions across different levels of government (vertical axis) and between state and non-state actors (horizontal axis).
The study focuses on the impact of the Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS) in local contexts, highlighting the political and institutional dynamics that shape the provision of social services in these metropolitan areas.
Its main objective is to understand how these multi-level interactions have reshaped patterns of governance in social assistance policy over time. To achieve this, the authors employ a methodology that combines literature review, document analysis, and interviews with public managers and actors directly involved in policy implementation.
The comparison between São Paulo and Belo Horizonte makes it possible to examine how intergovernmental relations (vertical axis) and interactions between the state and civil society (horizontal axis) influence the management and delivery of social services in each city.
The analysis centers on four core dimensions that explain local governance patterns: municipal political organization, the mobilization of policy communities, the profile and role of civil society organizations (CSOs), and the types of state capacities available.
In São Paulo, the research shows that social assistance governance is less influenced by federal regulations. Instead, it is shaped more strongly by conflicts between CSOs and the local bureaucracy, and is highly dependent on municipal political dynamics. In Belo Horizonte, by contrast, the study finds a stronger influence of federal guidelines, accompanied by a greater mobilization of policy communities, which play an active role in service provision and in building local capacities.
These differences are reflected in patterns of state capacity: Belo Horizonte emphasizes the direct provision of services, while São Paulo focuses more on regulating indirect service provision through CSOs. Belo Horizonte also stands out for having a well-structured policy community, whereas in São Paulo, epistemic actors—specialists with technical expertise—exert influence at the national level, but are less organized locally.
The variations illustrate how local political and institutional contexts can shape the implementation of social policies in distinct ways, even within a national system like SUAS.
The comparison between São Paulo and Belo Horizonte shows that local political and institutional factors play a fundamental role in adapting national policies. The findings contribute to broader public policy debates and highlight pathways for policymakers to improve coordination between different levels of government and civil society in pursuit of more effective social policies.
Author Profiles
Renata Mirandola Bichir is a Professor of Political Science at USP and a researcher at the Center for Metropolitan Studies. She holds a BA in Social Sciences (2002) and an MA in Political Science (2006) from the University of São Paulo, and a PhD in Political Science from IESP-UERJ (2011), with a visiting period at UC Berkeley in 2009.
Adriana Aranha is a researcher at the Instituto Fome Zero and at the Center for Metropolitan Studies. She holds a degree in Social Work from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, an MA in Public Administration from the João Pinheiro Foundation, and a PhD in Public Administration from the Getulio Vargas Foundation.
Maria Fernanda Aguilar Lara is a doctoral student at the Institute of Psychology at USP and a researcher at the Center for Metropolitan Studies. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Federal University of Mato Grosso and has professional experience in Social Assistance, including work in institutional care services for children and adolescents (SAICA, 2016) and in a Psychosocial Care Center for children and youth (CAPSI, 2017).
Technical Information
Title: Multilevel Governance of Social Policy: Social Services in Metropolises
Authors: Renata Mirandola Bichir, Adriana Aranha, and Maria Fernanda Aguilar Lara
Year of Publication: 2024
Where to read: Brazilian Political Science Review, Volume 18, Issue 3
