PLURALISM AS A KEY CATEGORY IN LATIN AMERICAN CONSTITUTIONALISM: SOME REMARKS FROM A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The paper focuses on the recognition of “pluralism” in Latin American constitutionalism as a key topic for those comparative constitutional law scholars interested in deepening the constitutional dimension of the growing social and cultural complexity of contemporary societies. What seems especially stimulating in the Latin American constitutional experiences is the “interaction” – in terms of both “conflict” and “integration” – between, on the one hand, the strong social pluralism and, on the other hand, the institutions and principles of Western liberal democratic constitutionalism which have migrated into Latin American constitutions. Some recent trends in comparative legal research prove to be particularly sensitive to the original and “alternative” solutions elaborated within the framework of Latin American constitutionalism, regarded as innovative perspectives on the relationship between law, nature, culture and society.