From the Return to Democracy to the Constituent Assembly of Montecristi: Analysis of the Conception of Citizenship in Ecuador in the Constitutions from 1979 to 2008

Abstract

The concept of citizenship has undergone significant evolution throughout history, adapting to the social, political, and legal transformations of each era. This paper focuses on analyzing the notion of citizenship in Ecuador’s constitutions enacted between 1979 and 2008, a key period for the country’s democratic consolidation. Over these three decades, Ecuador transitioned from authoritarian regimes to democracy, strongly influenced by social movements, particularly the indigenous movement. Through the analysis of the 1979, 1998, and 2008 constitutions, the study aims to identify the predominant theoretical model of citizenship during each period, considering changes in rights and political participation. The research adopts a qualitative approach, employing content analysis of constitutional texts and a case study methodology. Ultimately, the study will determine the dominant features of the citizenship models—liberal, republican, and communitarian—and their impact on shaping citizenship in Ecuador, with a special focus on the influence of the communitarian model in the 2008 constitutional reform.

Keywords: Citizenship, liberalism, republicanism, communitarianism, constitutional reform