Social (dis)engagement in liquid modernity: on social participation in health

Abstract

The liquid modernity is characterized, mainly, by its fluidity and the “melting” of borders regarding the individual freedom to choose and act, diminishing the importance of patterns, codes, rules and social references, as well as stimulating the desire, especially for consumption, amplified by the predominance of individuality in opposition to collective values. Thus, in this scenario, characterized by the fluidity and increasing individuality and disengagement, it is important to think about the possibility and effectiveness of social participation in health. This essay aims to identify possible paths for social participation in health at the local level, Primary Health Care Units, and analyze them based on the liquid modernity framework with the purpose to improve the understanding regarding the social (dis)engagement dynamics. The analysis of macro social reality, considering the Liquid Modernity, was a rich resource to understand how the fluidity in interactions of post-modern societies can influence the involvement of people in health participation.