Brian Wampler is Professor of Political Science at Boise State University, Idaho. He is the author of Activating Democracy in Brazil: Popular Participation, Social Justice, and Interlocking Institutions (2015), and Participatory Budgeting in Brazil: Contestation, Cooperation and Accountability (2007). Natasha Borges Sugiyama Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She is the author of Diffusion of Good Government: Social Sector Reforms in Brazil (2012). Michael Touchton is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Miami. He is the co-author of Salvaging Communities: How American Cities Rebuild Closed Military Bases (Forthcoming) with Amanda Johnson.
'This important book documents the existence of a significant 'democracy advantage' in the form of Brazilian municipalities that have been able to improve a number of key social indicators by expanding participatory institutions, adopting rights-based social programs, and building local state capacity. Given the multiple crises that have beset Brazil's national-level politics in recent years, the publication of Democracy at Work is especially timely as a reminder that local actors can construct their own pathways to well-being.' Kent Eaton, University of California, Santa Cruz 'Democracy at Work convincingly demonstrates that 'thicker democracy' really does improve social outcomes. The authors deploy the analytical leverage of the subnational comparative method, grounded in extraordinary empirical evidence, to show both the independent and interactive effects of participatory public institutions, inclusive safety nets and capable local governments.' Jonathan Fox, Accountability Research Center, School of International Service, American University 'This important book documents the existence of a significant 'democracy advantage' in the form of Brazilian municipalities that have been able to improve a number of key social indicators by expanding participatory institutions, adopting rights-based social programs, and building local state capacity. Given the multiple crises that have beset Brazil's national-level politics in recent years, the publication of Democracy at Work is especially timely as a reminder that local actors can construct their own pathways to well-being.' Kent Eaton, University of California, Santa Cruz 'Democracy at Work convincingly demonstrates that 'thicker democracy' really does improve social outcomes. The authors deploy the analytical leverage of the subnational comparative method, grounded in extraordinary empirical evidence, to show both the independent and interactive effects of participatory public institutions, inclusive safety nets and capable local governments.' Jonathan Fox, Accountability Research Center, School of International Service, American University