Author:

Eduardo Ribeiro Galvão

Abstract:

The complexity of social group participation in public policy decision-making processes demands an understanding of the institutional environment of this interaction between public and private agents. Democracy is not limited to the moment of voting. On the contrary, the modern concept of participatory democracy challenges society to interact technically and ethically with the Public Power throughout the entire decision-making process. Intended for professionals and academics who wish to understand Government Relations, the book presents what really matters, beginning with a historical journey showing how the activity developed in Brazil, its constitutional foundations, and its relationship with the country’s economic formation. It also presents contemporary concepts and theories on the complex system of representation and defense of interests, as well as the existing institutional models in Brazil and an analysis of the influence capacity of pressure groups. Finally, it addresses all existing national regulations on the activity and issues of ethics and compliance. Reflecting on theory and practice is essential for any professional. Professional praxis, synthesized by action-reflection-action, demonstrates that there is no action without meaning. The activity has developed, multiplied, and gained expertise and attention from academia as a theoretical and methodological object. The market has increasingly demanded specialized professionals. This progress contributes to fostering a healthy environment for social participation in public policy discussions, democratizing democracy.