Las instituciones de la democracia directa a nivel nacional en América Latina. Balance comparado: 1978-2010

Abstract

The transition toward democracy in Latin America over the last twenty nine years can be broken down into two major periods: the first one covering the 1980s, considered a lost decade economically but rather progressive democratically; and the second taking in the 1990s, characterized by the representational crisis of the political party system and a growing discontent with politics. A twofold approach was used to deal with both of these latter situations in several countries throughout the region by making constitutional reforms and adopting direct democracy mechanisms. Thus, now when parliaments and political parties are the object of public opinion mistrust, some sectors view civic participation mechanisms as a valid option for enhancing representation, boosting participation, and keeping political parties stable. Hence, debate over the potential benefits and risks of these institutions has become established on the Latin American political agenda. The main objectives of this document, which we are approaching from a comparative perspective, are to determine to what extent these direct democracy institutions are here to stay and what their most important impact has been on the problems being addressed. Our analysis covers the eighteen Latin American countries from the onset of the region's Third Wave of Democratization in 1978 to March 2010.