An Exploration of Intercultural Legal Pluralism In the Jurisprudence of Bolivia, Colombia and Ecuador

Abstract

Between 2008-2009, Bolivia and Ecuador’s constituent processes had the representative participation of different social movements, including the indigenous movement. Both Constitutions proclaimed the State as intercultural and plurinational, tacitly recognizing a legal pluralism that promotes equality and democratic dialogue. In the same way, Colombia pioneered in developing constitutional jurisprudence that includes intercultural legal pluralism, despite the limitations of the Magna Carta. About fifteen years have passed, but legal monism continues to be a tension and an obstacle to the realization of intercultural pluralism; however, new rulings in the high courts’ jurisprudence promote new light in justice. This study is based on the comparative legal method, which goes beyond the description of regulatory frameworks and seeks to analyze the argumentative strategies of the three high courts to build intercultural hermeneutics in favor of the constitutional rights of indigenous peoples.