The democratization of social assistance policy administration: fragments of a study

Abstract

This article discusses access to information as one of the essential elements of democratic administration based on the experience of the social assistance policy in Londrina, Paraná, from 2001 - 2004. It discusses democratization and management and examines the views of the actors involved in the enactment of this public policy. The data collected in the study of documents and semi-structured interviews with administrators, municipal council members, directors of social entities, social workers and users, was used for the author's doctoral thesis. They reveal the understanding of democratization as making viable access to social rights and participation. The access to information proved to be a qualifying element in democratic management and a principle incorporated in the practice of managers and professionals.