Social Movements and Participatory Institutions in Latin America

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the different relationships between participatory institutions and social movements in Latin America. While research on social movements rarely pays attention to participatory institutions, since they tend to be introduced by government authorities from the top down and oriented towards consensus, the literature on participatory institutions has been interested in social movements as key promoters, supporters, or participants. One of the most important issues concerning participatory institutions is who participates. What is the role of social movements or organized civil society in this regard? This chapter conceptualizes and describes four types of participatory institution, focusing on the role that social movements play within them. It identifies four types of such roles and then illustrates them with the most paradigmatic example of each one: National Public Policy Conferences in Brazil, Participatory Budgeting in Argentina, Citizen-Initiated Popular Consultations in Uruguay, and Communal Councils in Venezuela. In addition, other Latin American experiences are assigned to one of these four types. The conclusion highlights trade-offs between the different types, noting that the role of social movements in participatory institutions is not always and not necessarily related to more inclusionary participation.