Routing conflict: Organized violence and clientelism in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Studying politics in Rio de Janeiro's favelas (shantytowns) is an extremely challenging enterprise in light of the immense violence facing these communities. During my first research trip to Rio in 1996 few wanted to help me, an inexperienced and young researcher, gain access to any favela. After nearly a month of efforts I visited the favela of Rocinha under the auspices of an internship program run by the Pontifica Universidade Católica (PUC), an elite private college. On one of my early visits I attended an end-of-the-semester party at PUC's center in the community where I met Roberto, a young politician campaigning for city council. When I lamented my difficulties gaining access to favelas he told me that you just have to know the right people and invited me along to visit several that evening. I accepted and in minutes we had left on a journey that would take us to three favelas. © 2007 Springer-Verlag New York.