Forum on democracy.

• Author: Ochoa, Gina
• Position: OAS

The second Latin American Democracy Forum held recently in Mexico City was a space to discuss current and future problems facing the democracies of the hemisphere, especially those related to the link between politics and money in a democratic system, the implications of this link, the distortions that may arise, and the variety of questions that emerge around inappropriate use of political funds.

The event, organized by the Organization of American States (OAS), the Federal Electoral Institute, and International IDEA took place on December 6-8, 2011, and the debate focused on topics such as: how politics are financed and its impact on social inequality; the influence of clientelism and corruption and their effects, risks, and characteristics; and the influence of crime, organized crime, and drug trafficking on the flow of money in politics.

Politicians, diplomats, journalists, and experts participating in the forum emphasized the importance of combating social inequality and of ensuring that all levels of society benefit from democracy. They emphasized that in order for democracy to work, the members of a political community must have a level playing field and equal conditions that make it possible for individuals to act autonomously.

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OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza spoke about the role of the Inter-American Democratic Charter on strengthening democracy in the continent, calling it "the program of the democratic republic." He recognized that "beyond the problems that...