Intermediation and Representation in Latin America

This book shows how the introduction of intermediation is relevant in studying public policy processes, as they are increasingly accompanied by grey spaces in public and non-public arenas that cannot be categorized as purely representative or purely participative. Instead, ‘hybrid’ mechanisms are developing in the policy-making process, which bring in new actors who either are unelected while being required to represent or advocate for the common good of others or are directly elected but challenged by identity/rights-based issues of the people they are required to act in the best interest of. By addressing five different Latin American countries and a wide range of case studies—from human rights, labour relations, neighbourhood management, municipal bureaucracies, social accountability, to complex national systems of citizen participation—this volume shows the versatility and validity of CIP as a tool for analysing public policy and understanding contemporary democratic innovation in Latin America.