Socio-state interactions and instruments of public action at the subnational level

dynamics between state and non-state actors in drug policy and social assistance in São Paulo

Abstract

Starting from the premise that subnational entities have room for decision-making autonomy even in nationally regulated policies, this article argues that the articulation between the socio-state interactions approach and the public action instruments approach generates analytical gains for studying the implementation of instruments at the subnational level. To do so, the article explores the interactions and effects resulting from the implementation of public policy instruments at the subnational level, based on the analysis of two cases: the MROSC and the Recomeço Program in São Paulo. We argue that public policy instruments can (1) incorporate demands from social actors; (2) reflect the state's effort to regulate CSOs and establish minimum quality standards in the services offered; (3) generate selectivity effects among civil society actors and create inequalities in access to public policies and financing.