Marie Michael Library

The backstage of civil society: Protagonisms, networks, and affinities between civil organisations in Sao Paulo

Gurza Lavalle, Adrian; Castello, Graziela; Mirandola Bichir, Renata

By examining the 'backstage' of civil society, this paper raises issues that are not often addressed in literature as well as generates answers based on empirical knowledge. Following a 2002 survey conducted in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this paper presents three findings: firstly, there is a connectivity between Sao Paulo-based civil organisations; secondly, it is a hierarchal network where popular organisations, NGOs, and coordinating bodies occupy central positions while peripheral associations are dependent upon this group and have limited options; thirdly, links were found between certain types of organisations, always from the peripheral organisations to those with more reach and capability for action.