Non-Governmental Organizations and their contributions to democracy.

Abstract

Three theoretical aspects related to the function, nature of Non-Governmental Organizations and their role in democratic development are analyzed: a) as forums for denunciation and as a last resort in democratic matters; b) its character as a sine cuan non condition of democracy; and; c) its role and characteristics in democratic matters. It is concluded that they are a fundamental link for the achievement of the democratic ideal, citizen instances that exercise a social counterweight to the abuse of power and an additional channel of expression, as well as a means and an explanatory factor of democratization.