Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, Jorge Armando. EL ESTADO UNITARIO DESCENTRALIZADO: UNA CRÍTICA DEL ENFOQUE CONSTITUCIONAL COLOMBIANO. Cuad. Econ. [online]. 2001, vol.20, n.35, pp.162-203. ISSN 0121-4772.

This article argues that the Colombian Constitution of 1991 does not adequately articula te the unitary and decentralised dimensions of the State. This circumstance has negative consequences for democracy and hinders the achievement of the State ends. Bicameralism can serve as the guarantor of the balance of power between levels of government. This condition applies to Colombia in appearance only. The article shows that, under the present constitutional rules, the Colombian Congress can hardly be expected to fulfil the role of making the majoritiy and the minority (territorially defined) cooperate in arder to rule. It is argued that the design flaws of the 1991 Constitution make a smooth transi tion to a regional Sta te unlikely, regardless of whether or not a regional State is a good idea.

Keywords : constitutionalism; bicameralism; devolution.