Representation as participation: the collective mandates in Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: In this study, I explore how civil society and social movements challenge the notions and practices of representation in response to the growing disconnect between society and its political institutions. My research focuses on the phenomenon of collective mandates in Brazil, where groups of citizens join forces to run for legislative positions. If successfully elected, they collaborate to exercise their mandate collectively. Materials and methods: I conducted an analysis of 66 semi-structured interviews involving 76 representatives from 35 collective mandates elected in Brazil during the period from 2016 to 2020. The analysis employed interpretative content analysis to discern the meanings of representation. Additionally, I assessed the participatory practices of these mandates by applying established categories from the literature on social movements, such as agendas, repertoires of collective action, organizational structures, and participatory mechanisms. Findings: These political actors are actively pursuing a novel political paradigm that places importance on the descriptive, collective, and participatory dimensions. The research findings underscore that the fusion of participatory practices and elements characteristic of social movements not only complement traditional political representation but also reshape it. This becomes evident through the assimilation of the projects and agendas of these social movements into the legislative process, the integration of contentious strategies into institutional frameworks, and the diversification of participatory mechanisms. Discussion: This article introduces the innovative concept of “representation as participation”, setting it apart from conventional approaches to representation and bridging the gap between previously separate academic disciplines, uniting electoral and non-electoral representation with social movements. This expanded perspective broadens the scope beyond individual candidacies to encompass collective mandates elected at both the municipal and state levels. Furthermore, it emphasizes the multifaceted interactions between participation, representation, social movements, and the political system, acknowledging their associated challenges and conflicts.