O sistema de cooperação intermunicipal na NUT III Ave ; The system of intermunicipal cooperation in NUT III Ave

Dissertação de Mestrado em Sociologia apresentada à Faculdade de Economia ; This dissertation explores the complex dynamics of intermunicipal cooperation in the territory of Ave, Portugal. The focus of the investigation lies in the interactions that occur between the mayors, technicians and councilors of the different municipalities of the region. Based on interviews and document analysis, the study proposes to examine the underlying motivations, as well as the challenges and potentialities inherent in collaboration between municipalities.The initial context reveals the geographic and socioeconomic diversity that characterizes Ave, where we note the discrepancies in terms of needs and resources available to satisfy them. Furthermore, it is important to highlight that the municipalist tradition plays a significant role in mayors' decisions regarding the possibility of cooperating between municipalities. Within this context, the term 'municipalism' implies a strong emphasis on the local interests of municipal authorities, who place emphasis on resolving issues within their own municipalities, occasionally to the detriment of inter-municipal considerations. In the reality where we find ourselves, cooperation should be seen as a continuous effort to reconcile short- and long-term interests, aiming for the well-being and sustainable development of the region.Interpersonal relationships between the various actors involved emerge as a crucial element in promoting intermunicipal cooperation. Trust, in particular, is identified as an essential foundation, facilitating information sharing and joint decision-making. Such as social capital, which emerges as a key variable, providing a substantial incentive for cooperation through the development of solid and collaborative social relationships. The formation of interpersonal bonds and empathy between stakeholders play a fundamental role in promoting harmonious collaboration.Having said that, one of the notions that based a large part of the study was that of induced ...