Social movements and public policies: Consequences on the national human rights policy

Abstract

This article analyzes the political outcomes of social movement in public policy, specifically the consequences of the human rights movement on protection programs in the National Human Rights Policy. It is based on empirical research of two decades of the human rights movement (the 1990s and the 2000s)in Espírito Santo, Brazil, focusing on two national campaigns: (i) Campaign Against Impunity and Corruption; and (ii) Campaign Against Violations in the Prison. Campaigns are examined in depth through documents and interviews with activists. A correlational-process approach is used to investigate the consequences of the social movement in public policy. The main argument is that the human rights movement produced consequences for the formulation and implementation of public policy which are structuring of the National Human Rights Policy. It also argues that these results consist of a process of the institutionalization of rights which configures institutional fit. In addition, highlight the role of the repertoire of contention as a condition which favors political outcomes and the mechanisms which operate in mobilization.