Políticas públicas e capacidades estatais voltadas à Primeira Infância: uma análise de municípios do estado de Goiás

Abstract

Reflecting on the promotion of public policies requires understanding how the state addresses this in its agenda, as well as its capacity to promote them. Therefore, this research sought to understand how the state provides its population access to minimum conditions of health, education, housing, security, leisure, food, basic sanitation, among other elements that ensure social justice, through the analysis of the origins and concepts of the so-called Welfare State, as well as its origin and evolution in Brazil. However, to find these answers, it is necessary to delve into the concept known as State Capacities, since it is through the abilities of articulation between different entities and interests, in addition to governmental apparatuses and institutional arrangements, that states emerge, manage internal and external conflicts, and transform their societies and economies. This can be defined as the state's skills and competencies to set its goals and achieve them. Based on these concepts, the research focused on public policies aimed at the group known as Early Childhood, which includes children from 0-6 years old, including gestation. Various scientific studies, especially in the health field, address the importance of guaranteeing rights and access to children in this age group, ensuring physical and emotional gains that will impact adult life. However, despite the proven importance of the topic and legislative advances, the state is found to be incipient in promoting public policies for Early Childhood and in prioritizing this theme in its agenda and budget. When shifting this discussion to the municipal level, this reality becomes even more alarming. Thus, the objective of this documentary and field research is to analyze whether the 33 (thirtythree) municipalities in Goiás that signed the Term of Adhesion to the Municipal Committees for Early Childhood, established before the Goiás Committee of the National Pact for Early Childhood, have indeed instituted these committees, as well as what public policies are being promoted focusing on Early Childhood in these municipalities. Based on the results obtained, which confirmed the initially formulated hypothesis about the low state capacities of Goiás municipalities in formulating public policies for Early Childhood, a booklet of good practices on the topic was produced as a Technical-Technological Product, which will serve as guidance for municipal managers.