Plurinationalism Explained

Plurinationality, plurinational, or plurinationalism is defined as the coexistence of two or more sealed or preserved national groups within a polity (an organized community or body of peoples^[1]). In plurinationalism, the idea of nationality is plural, meaning there are many nationals within an organized community or body of peoples. Derived from this concept, a plurinational state is the existence of multiple political communities and constitutional asymmetry. The usage of plurinationality assists in avoiding the division of societies within a state or country. Furthermore, a plurinational democracy recognizes the multiple demoi (common people or populace)^[2] within a polity.^[3] Reportedly the term has its origin in the Indigenous political movement in Bolivia where it was first heard of in the early 1980s.^[4] As of 2022 Bolivia and Ecuador are constitutionally defined as plurinational states.^[5]

Plurinational states are similar to multinational states, but are particularly often advocated for by indigenous peoples.^[6]

Plurinationalism in Chile

In Chile constitutional plurinationalism has been a topic of debate. Plurinationalism was not a concept in the constitutional reforms proposed by Michelle Bachelet's second government (2014–2018), yet the proposed reforms included recognition of Chile's indigenous peoples.^[7] The 2022 proposed Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile defined Chile as "plurinational", however this proposal was rejected by a large margin in September 2022.^{[4] [8]} Prior to the dismissal of the proposed constitution the issue of pluranationalism was noted by polls and El País as particularly divisive in Chile.^[9] The creation of a "plurinational region" in southern Chile has been proposed by some scholars and activists as a solution to the Mapuche conflict.^[10]

Plurinationalism has been criticized by José Rodríguez Elizondo as being used to advance Bolivian claims against Chile for sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean.^[11]

See also

• Biculturalism
• Consociationalism
• Federal state
• Multiculturalism
• Multilateralism
• Multinationalism (disambiguation)
• National personal autonomy
• Pan-nationalism
• Pillarisation
• Plurinational State of Bolivia
• Transnationalism
• Unitary state

Further reading

• Pallares, Amalia. The Politics of Disruption, From Pluriculturalism to Plurinationalism, From peasant struggles to Indian resistance: the Ecuadorian Andes in the late twentieth century, University of Oklahoma Press, 2002, 272 pages
• MacDonald, Jr., Theodore. Ecuador's Indian Movement: Pawn in a Short Game or Agent in State Reconfiguration?
• Masnou i Boixeda, Ramón. 3. Recognition and Respect in Plurinationalism, Notes on Nationalism, Gracewing Publishing, 2002, 146 pages

Notes and References

1. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/polity polity
2. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Demoi demos
3. Keating, Michael. Plurinational Democracy in a Post-Sovereign Order, Queen's Papers on Europeanisation No 1/2002
4. Chile Could Become "Plurinational." What Does That Mean? . 2022-08-29 . . Burns . Nick . 2022-09-03 .
5. News: The Contentious Vote in Chile That Could Transform Indigenous Rights . Lankes . Ana . 2022-09-02 . 2022-09-24 . The New York Times.
6. Book: Tremblay, Arjun . Gagnon . Alain-G. . Teaching Federalism . Multinational, multicultural, intercultural, and plurinational federalism . Edward Elgar Publishing . 2023-01-03 . 978-1-80088-532-5 . 10.4337/9781800885325.00021 . 141–153.
7. Análisis comparativo entre la Constitución vigente y el proyecto de reforma constitucional de Michelle Bachelet . 2019-11-29 . Soto Martínez . Víctor . 155-19 . . Spanish.
8. Web site: Vanessa Buschschlüter . Chile constitution: Voters overwhelmingly reject radical change . BBC News . 5 September 2022.
9. News: El debate sobre el reconocimiento del "Estado plurinacional" divide a los chilenos . Montes . Rocío . 2022-08-31 . 2022-09-24 . . Spanish.
10. El nuevo ciclo de movilización mapuche en Chile: la emergencia de la CAM y el proyecto autonomista para una región plurinacional . Araucaria. Revista Iberoamericana de Filosofía, Política y Humanidades . Marimán . José . 34 . 279–301 . Valenzuela . Esteban . 2015 . Spanish . The new cycle of mapuche mobilization in Chile: the emergence of the CAM and the project for a plurinational autonomy region.
11. Web site: Diplomático José Rodríguez Elizondo teme que la plurinacionalidad sea funcional a la estrategia marítima boliviana . 2022-07-18 . 2022-09-21 . . Bruna . Roberto . es.