Políticas públicas de poverty alleviation e a transposição do Rio são Francisco: a quem serve a transposição do Rio São Francisco

Abstract

This dissertation tried to examine,in light on various government, technical, scientists and NGOs experts opinions, whether São Francisco River´s transposition is right now the best socialenvironmental- economical alternative to the semi-arid region of the northeast of Brazil; that is, whether in terms of public policy is a project fundamentally targeted at poverty alleviation, thus adequate to building an economic viable, socially fair and environmentally sustainable societyin the semi-arid region of the northeast of Brazil. Methodology. It’s been the objective to build knowledge by analyzing the “discourse”, the disposition and the terms used by the various speakers representing social groups.In regards to the social groups represented and related to the objectives of this dissertation, it has been opted, preferably, to the analysis of the discourse as a practice, and use the field of linguistics and communication to analyze ideological constructions contained within a text - result of a discursive activity; contextually, is the social-history aspects of a text. Results. The analysis of governmental, scholars and politicians discourse depicted, in terms of ideology and after years of social struggle, negligence and/or incompetence related to poverty alleviation policies, including the latest attempt, São Francisco River´s transposition. In terms of public policy San Francisco River´s transposition is not on itself a project t preferentially targeted at poverty alleviation, thus it is not structurally-sound regarding the building of an economic viable, socially fair and environmentally sustainable society in the semi-arid region of the northeast of Brazil. The real transposition project will only affect 5% of the total semi-arid region of northeast Brazil and 0,3% of its population. Only 4% of the water will be channeled to the diffuse population of the region, 26% will be targeted to urban and industrial use and 70% to irrigation for export products (shrimp, floricultures and horticultural). Large cities outside of the semi-arid region like Recife, Fortaleza and Caruaru (state of Pernambuco) will benefit. Conclusion. In regards to the social benefit cost of the project vis-à-vis poverty alleviation public policies it appears to be ethical, political, economical and cultural acceptable, but thoroughly socially unacceptable. The results shown here assure that the project on itself is: a) expensive due to doubtful results; b) creates environmental problems (evaporation and infiltration); c) there will be less energy production; d) the river will disappear due to deforestation and siltation; e) is technically inadequate regarding water management. Furthermore, it has also to be taken into account that for the semi-arid region of the northeast of Brazil the São Francisco River´s transposition have not been, and is not been: i) managed and/or supervised by organizations from the civil society; ii) based upon a set of technological, productive, social and educational experiences appropriated to the semi-arid region of the northeast of Brazil; and iii) designed to widen the public forum where formulation and social control of public policies are debated.