"O que nós quer é ocupar todos os espaços" : a participação sociopolítica do Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST) em conselhos gestores

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the social and political participation of the Movement of Landless Rural Workers (MST) in management councils of the city of Our Lady of Glory, ie examine whether the practice corresponded (or not) to a new political strategy and an identity redefinition of MST members of the movement. We examined the theoretical issues: social movements; participation; management councils and identity processes. In addition, we used the analytical category political field developed by Pierre Bourdieu in theoretical-methodological contribution. This is a qualitative research, carried out through direct observation, semi-structured interviews and documentary research that enabled the construction of empirical corpus, in which we can highlight some results: i) participation of political activists in management councils; ii) design and forms of participation for the MST; iii) MST dilemmas on participation in management councils. It follows that participatory MST insertion in management councils means an identity redefinition of movement members who in turn are changing the internal dynamics of both counsel on the movement itself as regards its political action. This socio-political participation of the MST is an attempt to stay assurance and fight for better living conditions in rural settlements.