Abstract:
In this article we analyze state selectivity in environmental agenda setting and legislative process in the State of Paraná, over the course of two four-year legislative sessions, between 2007 and 2014. On the basis of a qualitative-quantitative approach, we investigated the characteristics and proceedings of 180 environmental bills. The analysis looked at the party of the proponent, its ideological identification and the role of the executive branch in the legislative process. The findings indicate that, despite the executive’s strong ability to influence the legislature, the latter assumes greater autonomy in its agenda and imposes defeats on the former, depending on the power relations and environmental issues at stake. The little attention given to the legislative process has obscured its critical and strategic position in the selectivity of environmental policy. The legislature plays an important role in legitimizing the executive’s actions while barring projects and extinguishing laws that threaten hegemonic economic sectors.
Keywords:
environmental policy; selectivity; Legislative process and agenda; Executive power; Paraná