Transparency, Civic Culture and Citizen Participation in Democracies: Normative and Programmatic Analysis of the Mexican Case

Abstract

This document discusses the link between transparency and citizen participation in public affairs, specifically, the fundamental role of the civic and participatory culture of citizens for the achievement of democratic institutions, with the use of transparency schemes. Through a normative and programmatic analysis of the legal framework of transparency in Mexico, considered the best in the world, it is argued that it does not focus on promoting citizen participation; while their public programs in matters of transparency and civic culture, have possibilities of linkage for the design of a policy of transparency linked to civic culture and citizen participation. Finally, some reflections are made to achieve a transparency scheme that allows citizen participation in public affairs to achieve accountability and government oversight, basic elements for democratic consolidation.