Schooling and cultural resources in the composition of militant careers

Abstract

This work discusses political involvement and militancy in the State of Sergipe, Northeastern Brazil. It seeks to combine the apprehension of individual perspectives and perceptions on militancy with the objective grasp of different forms of militancy, considering the combination of a vast sort of social and cultural resources. Its empirical reference is composed of militant leaders and former leaders of five institutions whose areas of expertise are quite heterogeneous: religion (Catholic Church), syndicate (university teachers), environmentalism, philanthropy and human rights (sexual orientation). The results points out the weight of different school trajectories undertaken and the cultural resources raised by militants, with emphasis on higher education and specific expertise in their various spheres of action, according to the characteristics of the institutions and the generation of the individuals.