State versus Civil Society: the process of transition to democracy in Paraíba, Brazil (1975-1979)

Abstract

At the State of Paraíba, due to its characteristics, such as: economic delay, oligarchic and authoritarian political culture, the society is considered as fragile. Nevertheless, this does not keep it from, in a certain conjuncture, having pleading action in the established order. This article intends to analyze the political, social and cultural action of the Brazilian civil society, specially in the part of it from Paraíba – Church, political parties, syndicates, class association, social movements, etc. – at the time of the transition to democracy in Brazil, which’s aim is to verify the importance of it to the redemocratization of the country. It will also observe how the State, on federal, state and municipal level reacts to the performance of civil society in Brazilian territory, more specifically in Paraíba. Key words: State. Civil Society. Democracy. Political History.