LA COSNTITUCIÓN COMO BASE LEGARL DE LA DEMOCRACIA

Summary

This lesson focuses on Ecuador's 2008 Constitution as the legal foundation of democracy, emphasizing its role in defining citizens' rights and duties. Key topics include constitutional norms, plurinationality, and the ideological pillars of Sumak Kawsay (Good Living) and the rights of nature. The Constitution also highlights the importance of citizen participation, environmental responsibility, and equitable wealth distribution. With a strong emphasis on national sovereignty, unity, and sustainable development, this lesson explores how Ecuador's Constitution shapes governance and ensures the protection of both the people and the environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The constitution serves as the legal basis of democracy, establishing the fundamental norms for the state and its citizens.
• 😀 Constitutional norms are essential rules established by the constituent power, ensuring peace and harmony among citizens.
• 😀 The constitution defines the rights and duties of Ecuadorian citizens and the powers of the state, offering a clear legal framework.
• 😀 Ecuador's constitution is recognized as a magna carta, guiding the government and protecting citizens' rights, as well as defining territorial organization.
• 😀 The 2008 Constitution of Ecuador is one of the longest in the world, with 444 articles divided into nine titles, 40 chapters, and 93 sections.
• 😀 The constitution is based on three key ideological pillars: plurinationality, good living (sumak kawsay), and the recognition of nature as a subject of rights.
• 😀 Plurinationality acknowledges and respects the diversity of cultures within Ecuador, fostering equality among different nationalities and ancestral peoples.
• 😀 Sumak kawsay (good living) is a central concept, promoting harmonious relationships between individuals, communities, and nature.
• 😀 Ecuador’s constitution recognizes nature (Pachamama) as a subject of rights, highlighting the importance of respecting and protecting the environment.
• 😀 The constitution guarantees citizen participation, defines human rights, and outlines the duties and responsibilities of Ecuadorian citizens, including abiding by the constitution, being truthful, and protecting territorial integrity.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of today's class on the Constitution?

The main purpose is to recognize the role of the Constitution as the fundamental legal basis of democracy and to analyze the 2008 Constitution, focusing on the rights and duties of Ecuadorian citizens.

How is the Constitution defined in the context of Ecuador?

The Constitution is defined as the set of rules or mandates established by the constituent power, serving as the supreme law that governs the state and defines the relationship between the government and its citizens.

What does the term 'plurinational' mean in the context of the Ecuadorian Constitution?

'Plurinational' refers to the recognition and acceptance of multiple nationalities and cultures living in Ecuador, with each region having its distinct culture and identity.

What are the three ideological pillars of the 2008 Ecuadorian Constitution?

The three ideological pillars are: 1) Recognition of plurinationality, 2) The general orientation towards 'sumak kawsay' (Good Living), and 3) Recognition of nature (Pachamama) as a subject of rights.

What does 'Sumak Kawsay' mean, and how is it significant in the Constitution?

'Sumak Kawsay' translates to 'Good Living' and represents a development approach that ensures the necessary conditions for harmony between individuals, communities, and nature.

Why is citizen participation important in the Ecuadorian Constitution?

Citizen participation is crucial as it guarantees the involvement of Ecuadorians in the democratic process and ensures their rights are protected. The Constitution defines how citizens should engage in political and social activities.

What are the duties outlined in Article 83 of the Ecuadorian Constitution?

Article 83 outlines three key duties: to abide by and comply with the Constitution and laws, to avoid lying and stealing (as per the principles of 'Ama qhilla, ama llulla, ama ñaño'), and to defend the territorial integrity of Ecuador and its natural resources.

What does the Constitution say about defending the territorial integrity of Ecuador?

The Constitution emphasizes that Ecuadorians have a responsibility to defend the nation's territorial integrity and its natural resources, recognizing that these belong to all citizens and not just individuals.

What does 'equitable redistribution' mean in the context of the Constitution?

'Equitable redistribution' refers to the fair distribution of wealth among the population, ensuring that those with less are supported, while acknowledging that not everyone can receive the same resources due to differing levels of wealth.

How does the Constitution contribute to the promotion of a democratic society?

The Constitution guarantees a democratic society by promoting human rights, ensuring the protection of cultural and natural heritage, fostering social security, and encouraging peace and freedom from corruption.