중남미

NGOs(Non Governmental Organizations) have emerged as key actors in the democratization process in third world countries due to the shift in economic policies that has forced the state to withdraw from the social sector and to open the political sector. This paper reviews the theoretical debates on the role of NGOs in the democratization process as a new actor in politics. Based on distinct theoretical evaluations of the role of NGOs in the democratization process, the author examines the Mexican case to determine the boons and the banes of NGOs in the democratization process. The author argues that NGOs have played positive roles in the democratization of Mexico, such as enhancing representative democracy as well as strengthening participatory democracy. However, the author points out that the positive experiences with NGOs in Mexico could be seriously limited due to its “nonpartisan” stance toward institutional politics.