Chilean Insights for Progressive Constitutionalism

Abstract

This article outlines the global importance of the failed proposal for a new Chilean constitution. It shows the potential of constitutional processes to deescalate heightened social confrontation as well as the need of consensus building. In particular, this article focuses on how the Chilean proposal deals with rights. Its mainstreaming of progressive demands is as important as its implicit rejection of the critique of rights voiced in the Global North. The article concludes with a note on substantive equality in a capitalist world economy.