Atuação de interesses organizados nos processos legislativos federais do Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação da Natureza - SNUC (2000-2021)

Abstract

This doctoral thesis analyzes how organized interests representatives articulate themselves in pursuit of legislative success regarding changes to the SNUC Law (Law No. 9,985 of July 18, 2000). The study covers the period from 2000 to 2021 and examines the conflict between specific interests, which aim to facilitate access to and exploitation of these areas, and diffuse interests, which seek the preservation and balance of ecosystems. Using the process-tracing method and its set of techniques (documentary and content analysis), the research reveals that groups with specific interests unite around certain themes, and conflicts with diffuse interest groups vary according to the issue under discussion. The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) achieved the highest rate of legislative success, followed by the Parliamentary Front for Agriculture (FPA), while the Environmentalist Parliamentary Front (FPAM) did not succeed in its proposed positions but played an intense role in the progress of some propositions through its representatives. The analysis of articulation strategies considered institutional structure, issue characteristics, and group characteristics. FPA and FPAM played significant roles in opinions and requests, and official news revealed details of FPA's strategies as well as public support or criticism of proposals. Additionally, the size of representatives from these fronts occupying the Justice and Environment Committees revealed that FPA predominates in both houses for the Justice Committee, while it stands out only in the Senate for the Environment Committee, and FPAM predominates in the Chamber of Deputies. Therefore, this thesis contributes to understanding the dynamics of interest group articulation related to Conservation Units (UCs) in Brazil, providing insights into the actors involved, their strategies, and their influence on the legislative process.