THE EVOLUTION OF MODERN CONSTITUTIONALISM IN LATIN AMERICA

Originating in North America in 1776, modern constitutionalism with its ten core principles was taken up in the French Revolution and spread across Europe during the subsequent centuries. The same became true for Latin America from the early 19th century on with an amazing number of 19th century constitutions documenting this process. However, until the 1970s universal principles, constitutional supremacy, limited government, and judicial independence were the principles most heavily embattled due to major cultural differences and legal education. In recent decades, modern constitutionalism made further progress while at the same time due to the ethnic make-up several countries tried their own way.