State-Sponsored Activism: Bureaucrats and Social Movements in Democratic Brazil

State-Sponsored Activism offers a new model of interest politics in democratic and post-neoliberal Latin America,driven by previously marginalized state and societal actors. It traces the construction of a powerful new advocacy coalition between activist bureaucrats and bureaucratized activists, illustrating how corporatism has persisted in contemporary Latin America.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2021
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In his groundbreaking book, "State-Sponsored Activism," Rich delves into the intricate dynamics of AIDS policy in Brazil, offering a fresh perspective on state-society relations in democratic and post-neoliberal Latin America. Contrary to the prevailing notion that these dual transitions resulted in an atomized civil society and an impenetrable technocratic state, Rich unveils a novel model of interest politics driven by previously marginalized state and societal actors. Through a comprehensive examination of the Brazilian AIDS movement, one of the most influential movements in twenty-first-century Latin America, this book traces the formation of a formidable new advocacy coalition between activist bureaucrats and bureaucratized activists. By doing so, "State-Sponsored Activism" showcases a model wherein corporatism, characterized by active government involvement in civic mobilization, has persisted in contemporary Latin America, holding significant implications for representation and policymaking.

This book offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of state-society relations in Latin America, challenging the conventional narratives that often overlook the active role of the state in shaping social movements. Rich's meticulous research and insightful analysis shed light on the complex interplay between state institutions, civil society organizations, and marginalized groups, highlighting the ways in which they collaborate and compete to influence policy outcomes. Through the case study of the Brazilian AIDS movement, Rich demonstrates how previously marginalized actors can leverage their expertise and resources to shape public policy and advocate for their rights. This book is a must-read for scholars, policymakers, and activists interested in understanding the dynamics of state-society relations in Latin America and the potential for social change in the region.

Weight: 396g
Dimension: 152 x 228 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108456807