‘Nosotros, el pueblo’: apuntes sobre la evolución del concepto de soberanía en el constitucionalismo iberoamericano

Abstract

This research aims at examining the evolution of the concept of sovereignty within Latin American constitutional tradition. For to do that we will exam the main three influences or theoretical backgrounds of the concept of sovereignty in Latin America; that is, Bodine, Hobbes and Grotius. Later, by a method that will combine dogmatics, political and legal theory, we will exam the role of our concept on the aspiration of deepen participative democracy as that was grafted on the latest constitutional movement in the region. One of the main outcomes of this article will argue that Latin American constitutionalism lies on a concept of popular sovereignty that intends to move from representative democracy to a participative one. However, the lack of sound institutions for enhancing an actual inclusion of all voices within democratic debate, among a thin redesign on organization of the state power, would had significantly diluted the democratic aspirations of constitutionalism in Latin American region.