ABSTRACT
This chapter identifies the status of communicative forums featuring multi-party environmental negotiations within countries transitioning into greater democracy. It specifically describes actions taken by both traditional and non-traditional actors interested in environmental decision-making, and notes the consequences of these actions on environmental negotiations in their respective countries. The chapter focuses on two countries "transitioning to democracy" in Latin America— Mexico and Ecuador. Mexico and Ecuador were selected for comparison both because of their similarities and because of their differences. Both countries are transitioning to democracy—working to improve upon the democratic institutions that exist—and both have serious environmental problems—problems of concern to not only their citizens, but to the international community. Politically, Ecuador can be characterized as a country in democratic transition, as host to oligarchic democracy, and as driven by political corruption. The chapter explores the status of changes occurring within the communicative forums of two Latin American countries, Mexico and Ecuador.
