Society, business and government: an experience of implementing a new paradigm of participatory democracy

Abstract

The limitations of the state when it comes to providing public goods and services motivate the introduction of reformist programs adherent to different models of public administration. This article presents an experience of participation of civil society actors, profit and nonprofit organizations from the public and private sectors in the coproduction of public goods and services. Examples of an association of artisans from Florianópolis (SC) illustrate the concept of coproduction, establishing a framework for further empirical and theoretical initiatives and joint participation of society in the supply of their own demands. The study was qualitative, was developed in the form of action research as a strategy for participatory research. The methodological procedures used were participant observation, systematic meetings and monitoring of the researchers in implementing the actions. The results demonstrate the ability to reconfigure the social reality, proposing a coproduction by the three sectors as an alternative to creating a new institutional model of joint realization of the common good.