The participatory budget, the experience of Porto Alegre and Mexico City

Abstract

The objective of this research is to analyze two models of participatory budgeting, the model of Porto Alegre, Brazil and the model of Mexico City, highlighting their similarities, differences and the evolution of both. The hypothesis focuses on verifying that these participatory budget models are an effective mechanism for citizen participation, through which public resources are applied, focusing on the priorities and needs of the population. What is expected is to reveal the characteristics and generalities of the two participatory budgeting models that can serve as a reference to implement them in other places in Latin America. The methods that will be used are: the analytical, making an analysis of both models, the reflective, because the characteristics and elements that make up these models are revealed and finally the comparative, because their similarities and differences are detailed. In this research, the conceptualization of participatory budgets envisaged by Jahir Rodríguez, Ganuza Fernández, Gómez Fortes, and de Sousa Santos, as well as its relationship with the concept of redistributive justice by John Rawls, is considered as a theoretical framework. Similarly, the alignment of participatory budgets to the development approach envisaged by United Nations Development Program UNDP is reported. Likewise, some precedents are cited related to citizen consultation in the preparation of budgets both at the inter-American level and at the national level.