The technological modernization of the Brazilian State: the controversial case of INSS-Digital

Abstract

This article, based on bibliographical and documentary research, has as its object of study the critical analysis of the modernizing restructuring of the Social Security Nacional Institute (INSS), a federal agency that operates social security policy and whose modernization, from 2017 onwards, impacted access to the social security rights of the population served. The analysis, from a totality perspective, has the following categories: the concept of technology in society, the structural constitution of the Brazilian State and its modernization, the INSS-Digital and the impact of technological changes on the population served. Contextualized from the 1990’s, when neoliberal counter-reforms began, it is particularized in the period from 2016 to 2019, in the intensification of counter-reforms and austerity adjustments, guided by ultra-neoliberalism. It is concluded that the INSS-Digital, replacing face-to-face service, has restricted access to social security rights for the population, which, with a low level of income and education, does not have the resources to acquire technological equipment and understand computerized language, as confirmed by senior rates of rejection of benefit requests and the judicialization of processes. It is concluded that the INSS-Digital, when implemented in narrowing access to social security rights, is configured as a “competent” strategy in reducing social security policy, materialized in its counter-reforms. It is expected to contribute to critical reflection on Brazilian social security rights and to equip social and trade union movements in the struggle and resistance in favor of a public, egalitarian and universal pension.