This book is very useful for those who look into the problems of building sustainable societies with the participation of the relevant actors. Agenda 21, a product of Rio-92, places great emphasis on this participation. Undoubtedly, the social groups that are classified as stakeholders have to lead the sustainable development process. The reality of the world, however, presents itself as a formidable obstacle to the process. Everkley Tavares shows this. He clearly draws the background of sustainable development. Then, in a concrete case, the Serra do Mel, in Rio G. Norte, exposes how the existing framework does not characterize participatory management of a real public policy, besides containing patterns of relationship between state and civil society that are not democratic. Contribution of value. Clóvis Cavalcanti, ecological economist and FUNDAJ researcher.