Abstract

GIRALDO GARCIA, Fernando. Electoral Reforms and Institutional Adjustments Outstanding in Colombia. Pap.polit. [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.2, pp.497-521. ISSN 0122-4409.

Electoral reforms have been an institutional argument used in the political system to adapt technically and methodologically the competition to the power. But in the search to a better electoral process that is based on principles and functions to optimal development and recognition, it appears democratic shortcomings, weaknesses and imbalances in the rules; so that a reform is another perspective in adopting or always adjust the issues are pending or are necessary to correct promptly, or to mitigate the negative consequences of unforeseen or unavoidable reforms, themselves, particularly when they afflict inconvenience or flagrantly interested formulations without consensus. The electoral system should be evaluated considering the operation itself and its effects on society and in general, the political system. Therefore, electoral policy adjustments must respond not only to the strong institutional and neo-institutional constraints (for excessive formalism) but also, according to Dieter Nolhen, the contextual relevancy and the search of a better and more legitimate democracy.

Keywords : Electoral Reform; Colombian Electoral System; Electoral Institutional Settings; Electoral Process; Electoral system; reform; electoral process.

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