THE POWER OF THE CITY HALL, INTIMATE RELATIONS AND RETROSPECTIVE VOTING: An analysis of municipal electoral dynamics through the qualitative method

Abstract

This article shows the voters' views of the world on the electoral process of two municipalities of Pernambuco through the qualitative method. The focus group technique was used to collect data and later construct the interpretation of the social contexts addressed. Initially, we narrate the voters' views of the world. In this narrative we show what the voters think about local economy, city problems and how the electoral dispute occurs. Then the data contained in the narrative undergo interpretation. From it arise concepts that clarify the electoral dynamics of the cities surveyed. The power of the prefecture in the electoral contest, the intimate relationship between individual and politician, and the explanatory limitation of the retrospective vote for the understanding of voter choice are the main conclusions of this article.