ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the concept of democracy as an expansion of social equality and a liberalization of social institutions. The women's movement played a significant role in the transition to democracy. The democratic transition made apparent the paradox of authoritarian relationships and gender and ethnic inequalities in state, political, and private institutions. The unexpected emergence of feminist movements and importance of women's issues and women's organizations in the period of transition to democracy are the consequences of a combination of factors. The democratic transition has benefited from women's proposals to democratize politics, but, in the end, it has helped restore the role of traditional political organizations more than it has helped the organization of women. Feminism has been linked to the political Left since its inception. Even though it later claimed independence, it still maintains a strong ideological tie to the Left.
