Abstract

GOVEA HERNANDEZ, Héctor  and  RODRIGUEZ COLMENARES, Isabel. Social capital and the management of citizen demands in the Municipality of San Francisco: State of Zulia . Revista de Ciencias Sociales [online]. 2009, vol.15, n.3, pp.470-485. ISSN 1315-9518.

The purpose of this article is to analyze the elements of social capital present in the management of citizen demands in neighborhood associations of the Mayor’s Office for San Francisco, State of Zulia. To these ends, a field study of a descriptive-analytic nature was made. The empiric referent consisted of 20 neighborhood associations distributed in parishes that make up the municipality. The instrument used consisted of a standard type questionnaires; emphasis was placed on direct or participative observations, open interviews and analysis of documents provided by key informants. Findings indicated: a) Social capital of the neighborhood associations in the municipality is distinguished as being moderately positive, but it faces serious threats. b) Confidence and ethical values are oriented toward the low side and work against social action and the management of demands from the neighborhood associations; c) participation as a dimension of social capital is restricted, limited only to the vote; therefore, it de-legitimates the action of the local government. All this reflects lack of confidence toward this type of organization. e) A very limited space for building citizenship and generating mechanisms for citizen empowerment is perceived. f) Inconsistency is noted between discourse, action and the results of governmental management. Conclusions are that these traits constitute a barrier for the legitimacy and governability of the local government in question.

Keywords : Joint capital; citizen demands; neighborhood associations; local managmeent; empowerment.