Graduation Year
2020
Graduation Month
December
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
School or Department
Political Science
Major
Political Science – International Relations and Comparative Politics
Faculty Mentor Department
History
Faculty Mentor
Jody Pavilack
Keywords
constitution, constitutional comparison, Chile, United States, post-independence
Subject Categories
American Politics | Comparative Politics | European History | Latin American History | Political History | Political Theory | United States History
Abstract
This paper is a comparative analysis of the American Constitution of 1789 and the Chilean Constitution of 1833, as well as the political writings of major political theorists prior to the making of each constitution. In comparing the historical development and making of Constitutions in post-war, newly independent American nations, this paper seeks to understand the similarities between American and Chilean Constitutional institutions and underlying political theory from a historical perspective. Bearing this purpose in mind, this paper asks, “In what ways were the Constitution making measures of Chile and the United States in 1833 and 1789, respectively, a reflection of each nation’s history, political thought and experiences of post-independence?” To answer this question, the political thought of major thinkers in America like Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson are analyzed. In Chile, he writings of Diego Portales are analyzed. In addition to political primary documentation, each constitution will be compared in relation to each nation’s pre-independence and immediate post-independence history to analyze the purpose and nature of the documents. Beyond primary source documentation, a wide variety of secondary sources have been consulted pertaining to both American and Chilean independence movements to gain a sense of independence history and each country’s experiences. As a result of this research, it is clear that while each nation’s Constitution is distinct from the other, both are a reflection of national identity during post-independence with the primary goal of obtaining and maintaining stability via a strong central government. Constitutions today are said to be the primary reflection of national identities, but they only came to be that way through trial and error, as well as intentional drafting processes. The Constitutions considered in this research served as the first binding documents which tied the nation together legally, as well as, culturally based on each country’s shared, but distinct, values and history.
Honors College Research Project
Yes
GLI Capstone Project
no
Recommended Citation
Nelson, Zoe E., "Constitutional Reflections of the People: Representation in the Constitutions of the United States (1789) and Chile (1833)" (2020). Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts. 315.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/utpp/315
Included in
American Politics Commons, Comparative Politics Commons, European History Commons, Latin American History Commons, Political History Commons, Political Theory Commons, United States History Commons
© Copyright 2020 Zoe E. Nelson