Loretta Murphy
The Migration of meaning: A comparative analysis of understandings of orcamento participativo in Porto Alegre and Participatory Budgeting in the Toronto Community Housing Corporation
(vii + 129 pp + CD-Rom.)
2007

Thesis Supervisor / Directeur du mémoire : Sherry Simon / Daniel Simeoni

In 1989, the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre initiated a successful model of Participatory Budgeting, which has subsequently been implemented in cities throughout the world, including in the Toronto Community Housing Corporation. This paper analyses differences in understanding and shifts in meaning that occur when a Participatory Budgeting model from a Brazilian Portuguese Porto-Alegrense socio-political historical and cultural context is translocated to a Canadian English Toronto context. By examining five key terms, I compare the understandings of Orgamento Participativo in Porto Alegre to Participatory Budgeting in Toronto. Different understandings may result in different outcomes.

This paper is based on De Sousa Santos' call for a giant work of translation, which includes a greater need for understanding of the differences between international social movements within the World Social Forum. Greater understanding will open a space for dialogue and mutual learning, creating a path towards emancipation from the neoliberal agenda.

Key Words:
Participatory Budgeting; Orgamento Participativo; Citizenship; Cidadania; Social exclusion; Exclusao Social; Community; Comunidade; Public Spaces; Espaços Publicos; Brazil; Canada; translation; translocation