The introduction of the Unified Health System (SUS) by the Brazilian government has helped enhance community participation. A survey in 12 municipalities in different States of the country focused on the decentralization process implemented by the Federal government (Basic Operational Ruling NOB01/93). Based on the ruling's implementation, community participation has improved in the municipalities, the number of local health councils has increased, and more local people have become involved in the process. Another important aspect of the new health policy has been the direct influence of the local health councils in managing the system. Local health councils have thus been an efficient channel for community involvement. This paper discusses how the population has been represented in such councils in the wake of the decentralization process. The authors ask, what is the relationship between social democracy and political democracy, and what kind of state reform should be carried out?
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