Mechanisms of Citizen Participation in Public Policies in Latin America

Abstract

During the 1990s in Latin America, several mechanisms of citizen participation were implemented mainly in the design of public policies as part of a process of democratic innovations aimed at generating forms of social integration and containment of social demands. This paper presents an overview of the most representative participatory mechanisms applied in the Latin American context, in which the main motivations that each government had for its implementation are described. Likewise, it reflects on the effectiveness, problems and main challenges that maintain until today these participatory instruments. The conclusions of the article highlight the discussion about corporate control and subversion, as well as situations on social inclusion and citizenship construction.