No abstract

The result of field research conducted in a Rio de Janeiro favela, the article discusses transformations in the organization of community associations. In particular, it describes the weakening of local associations that are traditionally regarded as representative of the community and the rise of new forms of association, indicating their distinctive characteristics in terms of relations with external agents (from the state and other spheres) and forms of organization and action. We place these processes in a long timeframe, prior to the installation of the Police Pacification Units in 2009 and to the following entrance of new state and private agents. We review critical events in the history of the local political organization, to discuss the multiple assemblages that affect the organization of the favela residents.