[Popular participation: a matter of perspective]

The idea of popular participation is related to the distribution of public funds by government agencies and the popular classes' needs. Although the history of popular participation dates back to the late 19th century, it was during the 1980s that popular manifestations reached their peak in Brazil. The present context of globalization and neoliberalism have led to changes in the relationships between authorities and civil society, and an impasse has been created in negotiations. This context of impasse has fostered a reflection on the different forces acting within civil society and the various demands raised by them. The author's hypothesis is that the mediators in this process (middle-class and technical professionals), working together in popular participation with the popular classes, experience difficulties in perceiving the latter's interests and evaluations of reality. The popular classes' disbelief in Brazilian politics encourages them to solve their problems by forms of participation different than those practiced historically.