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On pedagogical dimensions to citizenship building on social control practice

This paper approaches the practice of social control in the Brazilian public health system in its pedagogical dimension. This experience has been acknowledged as a direct democracy alternative and as a space for defending public interest in health policy. Reflection on the practice of health councils recognizes the conflicts and tensions between individual and collective interests, the culture of individuality and the practice of citizenship. Furthermore, it includes the issue of power in its multiple variants. However, to build social control in the public health system is tantamount to guaranteeing empowerment and overcoming conflicts and tensions between the citizen and the individual dimensions. Finally, it is proposed that these aspects be considered as pedagogical tools for fostering citizenship and democracy, as well as for improving social control in the Brazilian public health system.

Formal social control; Brazilian public health systems; Citizenship; Health education


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