Public and state policies: Contributions for the study of state-society relationship

Abstract

Studies of public policy have grown in Brazil. However, several authors detect the conceptual blurring of themes and others indicate the prevalence of neutral action perspective of the State and the acceptance of the objectivity of public policy. These factors have hampered the comprehension of public policy as a historical product and expression of the State’s organizational processes in capitalism. Current paper analyzes the issue from a political point of view foregrounded on the fact that the close relationship between the neutral and objective treatment of public policies such as ‘State in action’ strengthens the very social cohesion of the capitalist system. The essay questions whether public policies actually aim at the public interest. After baseline studies involving the theme, current article discusses some contributions and, above all, postulates if it is not the case to rethink the adequacy of the expression ‘public policy’, as the term ‘public’, in this definition, definitely concerns the State’s role to reach only certain segments of society and it is not addressed to all.