Experiences of participation and communal State (1999-2015). Towards shaping local public policies

Abstract

This research is part of a more complex study dedicated to investigate the relationship between families, ancestral knowledge and local public policies. It is analyzing experiences of participation and communal state for the purpose of understanding the links between this community participation process, the transformation of the State during the period 1999-2015 to the emergence of local public policies in Venezuela, glimpsing four significant historical moments namely: a) the urgency of a tragedy the community power, b) organization in the struggle for urban land, c) the momentum of the Missions with community participation d) Community Councils and Communes in the creation of popular power. As a result, these experiences indicate the transformation of rigid structures of representative cutting new participatory structures established on the basis of constitutional provisions; the building of a new territorial geometry, which appears linked to geopolitical place and space; and devolution of public power to people power in the formulation of public policy. As a final thought, major changes are needed if we want to move towards managing public policy role of communities.