HOW MEXICAN LAWS SUPPORT CITIZEN PARTICIPATION - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The support of Mexican laws for citizen participation is based mainly on suffrage, social organizations and initiatives of law. Laws in Mexico are governed by three powers; the executive, legislative, and judicial, each dealing with different aspects of the Mexican constitution.

With a policy based on a democratic system, the powers are to a certain extent autonomous and independent, allowing what is known as constitutional balance.

However, the general opinion of the Mexican people is that there is no transparency between government institutions, so there is great mistrust of the government.

How do Mexican laws support citizen participation in the life of the country?

Within the political framework of Mexico there are many laws aimed precisely at citizen defense, and their inclusion and the right to participate in the life of the country through democratic ways.

Despite this, several studies carried out by Mexican universities reveal that the majority of people (more than 70%) see some institutional weakness in the government, as well as corruption and embezzlement of all kinds, so there is enormous mistrust on the part of the Mexican people in their government.

The four main ways in which citizen participation can be expressed to have a relevant weight on the life of the country are through suffrage, political, social and community participation.

1- Suffrage

Thanks to suffrage, citizens can literally have one vote when deciding for the future of the country.

It is perhaps the most visible and tangible way that Mexican laws support citizen participation.

2- Political participation

With political participation, people can have a real and tangible influence on decision-making by the official entities of the Mexican powers.

This consists of the direct inclusion of a person in a position as a public servant, a political party or a demonstration or boycott against a sentence (including judicial).

From a more civil point of view, active political participation is also possible, the use of the media to promote a reform or electoral campaign, protests and mobilizations and even suggestions or complaints towards an official body (carried out under the framework of laws).

3- Social participation

A non-governmental organization (NGO) is a good example of the social participation of citizens.

Although the issues discussed in these organizations do not have a direct relationship with government policies, they can greatly influence or act indirectly on them.

Although dealing with the government is not direct, the actions taken by the NGOs must be transparent and be contemplated in the laws.

Cooperation between government and NGOs is not uncommon, and is usually carried out in a consensual manner.

4- Community participation

It is the union of the members of the community to promote activities at the local level, usually of the sports, cultural or folkloric type.

It is usual that during disasters or natural catastrophes it is community participation that saves lives thanks to the help of friends and neighbors.

References

1. Community participation (February 12, 2016). Retrieved on November 14, 2017, from the Junta de Andalucía.
2. Stellio Rolland (February 1, 2008). Governance: conceptions and discourses. Retrieved on November 14, 2017, from the Institute for Research and Debate on Governance.
3. Luis Rey Delgado García (April 27, 2017). Social participation. Retrieved on November 14, 2017, from Milenio.
4. On citizen participation (May 18, 2016). Retrieved on November 14, 2017, from El Universal.
5. Azucena Serrano Rodríguez (April 2015). Citizen participation in Mexico. Retrieved on November 14, 2017, from Scielo.
6. What is Social participation (sf). Retrieved on November 14, 2017, from the Mexican Government.
7. Political participation (nd). Retrieved on November 14, 2017, from Banco Cultural de La República.