This paper attempts to address the complex relationship that exists between the democratic State and the civil society organizations. That relationship is in a constant process of mutation, crossed by the complexity of the social tissue, which is outlining the structure of states and how it generates collaboration with other agents for decision-making. An approach is made to the processes of public policy making, variations of the concept governance are analyzed and its implications for the state's role in the organization of society. The discussion on this mode of governance is relevant for a critical review of the agenda proposed by the international organizations to the Latin American states. Finally, there is the debate on the challenges regarding the need to discuss new forms of social coordination that redefines the concept democracy.