Multilevel governance in federative countries: analysis of social assistance performance at municipal level in Brazil

Author(s)

Renata Mirandola Bichir ^[1] ; Sergio Simoni Junior ^[2] ; Ursula Dias Peres ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades. Centro de Estudos da Metrópole - Brasil

^[2] Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas. Centro de Estudos da Metrópole - Brasil

^[3] Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades. Centro de Estudos da Metrópole - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Opin. Publica; v. 30, 2025-01-10.

Abstract

Abstract This article uses the lens of multi-level governance to advance the debate on the consequences of federalism on Brazilian social policies, focusing on the National System of Social Assistance (SUAS). Methodologically, the article is innovative for analyzing performance indicators of this policy at the municipal level using multilevel regression models with explanatory variables that refer to budgetary governance, state capacities and socio-state interactions at the vertical and horizontal levels, as well as local dimensions, in addition to socioeconomic and demographic controls. Brazilian municipalities are our unit of analysis, and the final year of the Municipal Management Improvement Pact, 2017, is our time reference. The results indicate the importance of the different levels for explaining municipal performance in the provision of social assistance services. In particular, the results highlight the decision-making space of sub-national entities in a nationally regulated public policy, and allow new lines of investigation to be opened. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/07616-7 - CEM - Center for Metropolitan Studies
• Grantee: Eduardo Cesar Leão Marques
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Research, Innovation and Dissemination Centers - RIDC