Democratic System

Democratic System

The achievement of sustainable and equitable growth in the region depends on the simultaneous pursuit of two interdependent objectives: on the one hand, the attainment of increased democratic political stability and on the other, a greater political inclusiveness which permits an effective representation of large sectors of the population that are presently excluded or unequally represented. Both aspects are closely related; as long-term democratic political stability cannot exist without the effective integration of all sectors of the population in the system of political representation, in such a way that excluded sectors influence the design and implementation of public policies so that they respond to the general interest. Inclusion ought to avoid logics that increase the particularism and volatility of the political system, which entails strengthening representation based on the general interest.

To obtain these objectives, the State, Governance and Civil Society Division will support programs and projects that aim to: (i) reinforce the institutional capacity of the legislative branch; (ii) modernize the electoral and party system; (iii) ensure the neutrality and objectivity of public administration; (iv) strengthen inspection, oversight and supervision agencies; (v) support the processes of decentralization of political power and democratization of governments; (vi) strengthen the participation of civil society in the formulation and implementation of public policies, and (vii) promote a democratic culture in the citizenry.