Abstract

VIEGAS, Moacir Fernando  and  LUCIANO, Charles Luiz Policena. State, democracy and institutionalization of the social struggle in the educational practices of the MST: a case study of the itinerant school. Perspectiva [online]. 2011, vol.29, n.01, pp.317-338. ISSN 0102-5473.

This article analyzes the characteristics and contradictions of educational practices undertaken by the Landless Workers Movement (MST), using itinerant schools as a reference. It particularly focuses on the problem of democracy and institutionalization of the social struggle, a central issue currently debated by social movements. The theoretical support for the study is based on historical and dialectical materialism and, particularly on the criticism made by Ellen Wood of representative democracy and limitations of the concept of “civil society”. The research was carried out at two MST settlements in Rio Grande do Sul State, using semi-structured interviews, participative observation and document analysis. The results point out the institutionalization of the MST’s educational practices, to attend to the formalities of government requirements. It found a trend towards bureaucratization and a distancing from the needs of the working class.

Keywords : Education and Democracy; Education and Class Struggle; Social Movements.

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