Socialist Decentralization in the Andes? Explorative Reflections on Radical Democracy and 21st Century Neo-Constitutionalism

In this study the processes of neo-constitutionalism and participatory democracy in Bolivia, Ecuador and Venezuela are analyzed. Since 2006, these three countries spearhead the alleged leftist transformation of Latin America and the 21st Century Socialism. How are ideas of radical democracy reflected in the new Andean constitutions and which are the likely challenges, tensions and contradictions regarding the implementation of these measures to enhance local popular participation and social inclusion of previously marginalized groups? Additionally, an aim of this essay is to applicate a relatively novel concept for the academic debate on political development in Latin America: socialist decentralization. Therefore, the study will offer a problematization of the theoretical debate on decentralization and radical participatory democracy in the three Andean countries. Furthermore, certain challenges for the participatory political projects around presidents Hugo Chávez, Evo Morales and Rafael Correa will be identified