The Political Potential of Civil Society: Advocating for Freedom of Information in Argentina

Perceptions that corruption is rampant in Argentina have fueled discontent with the country’s political institutions and elites. In response to this problem, members of various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society groups have rallied around demands for greater transparency. The article focuses on their recent efforts to promote national freedom of information legislation. An analysis of the activists’ attempts to influence the policy-making process demonstrates the significance of a coalitional approach to advocacy. By creating an alliance, the NGOs were better positioned to shape policy debates and to pressure political leaders to adopt freedom of information legislation. In addition to examining the strategies that civil societal actors use while engaging in policy advocacy, the article elucidates their role in the struggle against corruption in Latin America. Scholars have largely neglected both of these themes. The gap in existing literature is surprising given the relevance of these issues to the ongoing process of democratization in the region.