Participation Under Lula: Between Electoral Politics and Governability

This article shows how and why the initial attempts of the Lula administration
in Brazil to promote innovative counterhegemonic participatory strategies, such
as those put in place by the PT in some of its subnational governments, fell by

the wayside. It is argued that the implementation and scope of participatory ini-
tiatives under Lula were caught between electoral motivations and the need to

secure governability. On the one hand, the need to produce quick results in

order to maximize vote-seeking strategies hindered attempts to promote coun-
terhegemonic participation, while Lula and his inner circle opted for policies

that would score immediate marks with the poorest sectors or influence public
opinion. On the other hand, participation also took a back seat because the PT
concentrated most of its energies on reaching agreements with strategic actors,
such as opposition parties or powerful economic groups.