Decentralization and participation in the Ecuadorian Constitution: lessons for the constituent process in Chile

Abstract

This paper’s aim is to expose the decentralizing and autonomist strategy of the Ecuadorian Government, driven and expressed in a new constitution, developed as the result of the participatory experience of a national constituent assembly. Additionally, it describes an overview of a new paradigm in planning and public management, proposed during the last decade by ECLAC, which laid the foundations for the Ecuadorian process.

It also addresses the Chilean government’s double intention to execute a decentralizing plan, with a view to contribute to further development and social equality, as well as its proposal to carry out a constituent process. It becomes important, thus, to inquire into the Ecuadorian process and identify any good practices that could be replicated nationally.