The paper highlights the importance of electoral observation as a new way to involve citizens in political processes. It outlines the scope of this practice in democratic contexts, taking observation as a tool for recording data on the administration and organization of the elections, and also the possibility of guaranteeing the transparency of the process and the behavior of political actors. It also shows the experience of Alajuelita with an analysis in the last two elections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
*REFERENDUM, *POLITICAL participation, *INTERNATIONAL economic integration, *DEMOCRACY, SOCIAL aspects, COSTA Rican politics & government, 1986-
Abstract
In this paper I explore the democratic potential of direct democracy, on the basis of a case study of the referendum on CAFTA that took place in Costa Rica on October 7, 2007. Theoretically, I aspire to show how developments in the field of participatory democracy can enrich the analysis of democratic regimes. Empirically, I describe the institutional design and political practices in this first experience. I conclude that the referendum entailed reversals in terms of electoral fairness and legitimacy, as well as progress in the construction of citizenship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Published
2008
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