This paper is a reflection on the importance of offering institutional opportunities for political participation for the citizens, in order to consolidate the democratic system of government. It is argued that participation is essential to achieve two goals: 1) Confer more legitimacy to the regime and the decisions elaborated in its scope. An argument is made about how the lack of participation opportunities eventually make citizens apathetic and dissatisfied with democracy. The need to promote for more frequent and stronger intervention mechanisms to the civil sphere is considered. 2) More effectively implement public policies. Participation has an instrumental facet, by providing a better quality in the formulation, implementation and effectiveness of policy decisions and government programs. So, in this text, the adoption of new participatory institutional devices through the demonstration of its advantages is defended.
democracy; participation; legitimacy; institutions; public policies