Popular participation: Reflections on the potential of innovation in the public service

Abstract

The democratization process reduced the role of the State. The institutionalization of some channels of consultation and evaluation provoked reflections on the effectiveness of popular participation in the formulation of improvements, implementation of new public policies and innovation of public services. Democratic contribution can occur through management councils, ombudsman offices, public hearings, among others. Thus, the article seeks to identify the possibilities of innovation in the public sector through popular participation. For the development of this work, the exploratory research method of qualitative nature was used. The importance of the theme is based on the need to understand the ambivalences of the social processes and attitudes of the actors involved, both in the experiences that innovate in the management of the public thing, as well as in those that keep the traditionally developed practices unchanged. The analysis focuses on the potential for innovation of the public service through an effective popular participation, through feedbacks and institutionalized channels, aiming to mark the rupture of the current way of managing. Social participation can influence the expansion of spaces for participation, the inclusion of new demands, decision-making and, consequently, provide innovation in the public sector. Despite the need for empirical studies and research to corroborate the dynamics of public service innovation through the effective participation of the user.