Cultural policy as an instance of social development and common interest in Brazil

A brief look at Paraíba Valley and the North Coast of São Paulo

Abstract

The article aims to understand the historical trajectory of cultural policies in Brazil to situate the ongoing deconstruction of this same history and, on the other way round of this trend, emphasize the revaluation of its important achievements. Coupled with this historical-critical perspective of cultural policy, theoretical contributions were made on the relationship between culture and development, which culminated in the regional debate on culture in the context of general discussions in view of regional planning and development in Vale do Paraíba and on the North Coast of São Paulo. Based on a brief profile of parameters indicative of cultural policy in the 39 municipalities in the region, it is noteworthy that, although cultural management is not sufficient, after the Federal Constitution of 1988, one can see specific regional movements concerned with the construction of municipal cultural systems aligned with the democratic guidelines of national policy and common interests of local agents committed to culture and regional development planning. It was noticed that the discussion about the national system, decentralization and synergistic action of local agents is essential for the promotion of cultural policies; however, it is necessary that culture is thought of in the light of a new epistemological knowledge of decolonization of the view that promotes the social construction of affirmative meanings of singularities, subjects, communities and places.