ABSTRACT
Latin America has a long tradition of constitutional reform. Since the democratic transitions of the 1980s, most countries have amended their constitutions at least once, and some have even undergone constitutional reform several times. The global phenomenon of a new constitutionalism, with enhanced rights provisions, finds expression in the region, but the new constitutions, such as those of Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela, also have some peculiar characteristics which are discussed in this important book. Authors from a number of different disciplines offer a general overview of constitutional reforms in Latin America since 1990. They explore the historical, philosophical and doctrinal differences between traditional and new constitutionalism in Latin America and examine sources of inspiration. The book also covers sociopolitical settings, which factors and actors are relevant for the reform process, and analyzes the constitutional practices after reform, including the question of whether the recent constitutional reforms created new post-liberal democracies with an enhanced human and social rights record, or whether they primarily serve the ambitions of new political leaders.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
part 1|119 pages
Introduction and Analytical Concepts
part 2|39 pages
Reflections on the New Latin American Constitutionalism from a Historical and Comparative Perspective
part 3|103 pages
Case Studies: The Impact of New Constitutions on Democracy and Governance
part 4|45 pages
Case Studies: The Empowerment of Courts
part 5|59 pages
Case Studies: Rights Revolution and Indigenous State Transformation