Popular Organization and Democracy in Rio De Janeiro: A Tale of Two Favelas [Paperback]

Robert Gay (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 23, 1993

This urban tale of survival illustrates two versions of active, organized, aggressive participation in the political process. Vila Brasil survives by exchanging votes for favors. The president of its neighborhood association promises political candidates that the favela will vote in masse for the highest bidder. Vila Brasil has maneuvered this power to become one of the best served favelas in the region for the moment, at least. Vidigal, on the other hand, steadfastly refuses to support candidates who campaign on boasts or promises alone. Vote-selling, or buying, is not permitted. To do well in Vidigal, a politician must talk not only about providing electricity and water in the favela, but also about wages, education, and health care over the longer term. In analyzing the favela's different responses to the popular movement that confronted the military in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the author makes a significant contribution to literature about relationships among urban poor, political elites, and the state. Author note: Robert Gay is Professor of Sociology at Connecticut College.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Robert Gay's study is well done. It provides a detailed look at two different forms of popular political organization in Brazil and how they relate to the state, local people, parties, and politicians.... Gay allows the reader to catch a glimpse of the enormous varieties of ways in which popular organizations relate politics to contemporary Brazil. There is no comparable book on Latin American politics."
—Scott Mainwaring, Helen Kellogg Institute for International Studies, University of Notre Dame

From the Publisher

Two political survival strategies in Brazilian slum neighborhoods --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Temple University Press (December 23, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1566391202
• ISBN-13: 978-1566391207
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,282,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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