Civil Society and Electoral Accountability: Lessons from Latin America

Abstract

This book has sought to fill a gap in the literature on elections and democratization by providing a detailed study of civic associations that mobilize citizens to monitor elections in their home countries. Their work should not be subordinated to that of the more renowned international players, as they have, in many ways, greater potential than internationals to influence democratic consolidation. In Latin America, domestic election monitors are present at a similar proportion of elections as the main international actors, and they typically organize missions that are substantially larger in both scope and size. Further, unlike the missions of international organizations, civic associations are active in the periods between elections, and are as likely to monitor elections in states considered to be democracies as in states that are democratizing. All of these characteristics highlight the unique role of domestic monitoring organizations (DMOs) in long-term democratic consolidation.