Fundamentos das políticas públicas pelo viés da teoria crítica

Abstract

This study discusses the fundamentals of public policies from the perspective of critical theory. For this, it undertakes a brief analysis of the characteristics of these policies and their behaviorist foundations, in order to situate the importance of this debate within this scientific field. Qualitative methodology is used, based on theoretical and bibliographic research. The problem raised was: what are the theoretical foundations of the behaviorist approach to public policies? And, what are the foundations of critical theory that can be applied to the study of these policies? The objective is to indicate fundamentals of critical theory that can help support studies as well as practical actions in this field. The research undertaken showed that there is a hegemony of behaviorist thinking in public policies, which explains the analyzes of technicist, economist and positivist tendencies within this field. Critical theory, in turn, can support analyzes and practical actions in this area through postulates such as the materialist analysis of history, class interests and conflicts at the base of these policies, the refusal of scientific neutrality as a methodological orientation and emancipation as objective that should guide the actions of governments and the State.