Derecho Constitucional Latinoamericano y Comparado

Abstract

This article deals with a central premise: that the idea of Latin America constitutes a driving idea and a reality. The author compares the different legal systems of constitutional rules and realities of the region in order to uncover their common features, their distinguishing characteristics and their reciprocal influences. Including the idea of Latin America in the constitutional document, as some countries in the region have, ennobles the concept and strengthens the arguments in favour of a Latin-America body of constitutional law with common origins, developments and tendencies. The gradual cohesion of such a body of law, as this article shows, provides solid grounds on which to foster the ideal of integration present in the region.