Abstract

MORAN TORRES, Enoc Francisco. Public Consultation in Mexico. A Proposal for Strengthening Institutional Design from Latin American Regulatory Experiences. Díkaion [online]. 2020, vol.29, n.2, pp.501-534.  Epub Apr 12, 2021. ISSN 0120-8942.  https://doi.org/10.5294/dika.2020.29.2.7.

The institutional design of public consultation prevailing in Mexico represents a considerable regulatory advance on the subject. However, the complex requirements, limited consultation matters, and the legislative branch’s interest in privileging the political decision over the consultation request obstruct its operationalization and restrict citizens’ participation in public affairs of the country. Then, the only way for it to occur continues to be the exercise of voting rights for representative democracy. This academic contribution analyzes the Mexican institutional design of public consultation to identify those aspects that obstruct its practice. It reviews the conception of public consultation and the regulatory experiences of Latin American countries, such as Uruguay, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, in regulating this citizen participation process. As a result, it provides elements that contribute to strengthening public consultation as a direct democracy mechanism in Mexico.

Keywords : Democracy; direct democracy; public consultation; citizen participation.

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