SANITATION MANAGEMENT: REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY AND SOCIAL PARTICIPATION IN A METROPOLITAN REGION OF SALVADOR – BAHIA

Abstract

Democracy is a universally recognized ideal which requires participation and engaged citizens. The National Sanitation Policy establishes a social control mechanism. This study aims to analyze how institutional leaders within Bahia's municipality have improved participation in relation to the topic of sanitation services. It discusses the perception of leaders and community problems, the mechanisms of participation and social control, communication and relationship with the leadership of the local government. This research study is set up as a case study using a descriptive and exploratory approach of both quantitative and qualitative methodology. Data were collected from the books, scientific papers and white papers, as well as application forms, systematic observation and relevant meetings. This sample shows that the representative democracy is unstable and does not respect the democratic mechanisms of making decisions. Neither is there an effective social control through the Municipal Councils, which are unknown by most leaders and was not cited as a privileged space for complaints around the deficiencies of sanitation services.