Montag
10-10-2008, 09:10 PM
Change Triumphs in Ecuador's Constitutional Referendum
by Eduardo Tamayo G. and Helga Serrano Narváez
Global Research, October 10, 2008
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10518
excerpt:
Ecuador's new Constitution was approved with 64% voting "yes" on Sept. 28. "No" won 28% of the votes, 7% were invalid and 0.7% left blank, according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
The results of the referendum reflect the high expectations for change that the majority of Ecuadorians are feeling, and which they have ratified with their votes in the last four elections. This desire for a profound transformation also extends to the immigrants that have left for the United States and Europe, who have been hit by the economic crisis. People voted for a more participative democracy and for the ability to intercede actively in political life.
The Constitution combines a series of progressive traits that overcome some of Ecuador's current inequalities, discrimination and injustices, such as the following: the balanced living concept (sumak kawsay), which implies living in harmony with oneself, society and nature; nature's right to assure "the maintenance and regeneration of its vital cycles, structure, functions and evolutionary processes"; national diversity and collective rights; the right to water and the prohibition of its privatization; food sovereignty and the permanent right to secure food sources; the right to communication and access to public, private and community media.
The Constitution also has articles that are significant in terms of sovereignty and the prohibition of foreign military bases, as Article 5 states: "Ecuador is a peaceful territory. We will not permit the establishment of foreign military bases nor foreign facilities with military aims. It is prohibited to cede national military bases to foreign armed or security forces." Ecuador defines itself as a country that promotes peace, universal disarmament, condemns the use of weapons of mass destruction and the imposition of bases or facilities with military purposes of some states in the territory of other nations. (Article 416, 4). This is a victory not only for Ecuadorian organizations, but also for continental and worldwide networks that have struggled to abolish foreign military bases.
Rethinking the Economic Model
The new Constitution also has a chapter on the prioritization of national production in its economy. In regards to development, it recognizes the "group of economic, political, social, cultural and environmental systems that guarantee the realization of the balanced life, sumak kawsay." This means that economic growth is not the only priority as a means to reach development, instead, it is considered an integrated vision. It proposes, among other things, "to build a fair, democratic, productive, solidarity-based and sustainable economic system founded on the equitable distribution of development benefits, means of production and the generation of dignified and stable work." (Article 276)
The Constitution recovers the role of the State in participatory development planning in areas such as health care, education, housing and water supply, among other things. Some of these had been turned over to the private sector during years of neoliberal implementation. Now the State will maintain control of the financial sector and develop policies to avoid the concentration or hoarding of means of production.
by Eduardo Tamayo G. and Helga Serrano Narváez
Global Research, October 10, 2008
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=10518
excerpt:
Ecuador's new Constitution was approved with 64% voting "yes" on Sept. 28. "No" won 28% of the votes, 7% were invalid and 0.7% left blank, according to the Supreme Electoral Tribunal.
The results of the referendum reflect the high expectations for change that the majority of Ecuadorians are feeling, and which they have ratified with their votes in the last four elections. This desire for a profound transformation also extends to the immigrants that have left for the United States and Europe, who have been hit by the economic crisis. People voted for a more participative democracy and for the ability to intercede actively in political life.
The Constitution combines a series of progressive traits that overcome some of Ecuador's current inequalities, discrimination and injustices, such as the following: the balanced living concept (sumak kawsay), which implies living in harmony with oneself, society and nature; nature's right to assure "the maintenance and regeneration of its vital cycles, structure, functions and evolutionary processes"; national diversity and collective rights; the right to water and the prohibition of its privatization; food sovereignty and the permanent right to secure food sources; the right to communication and access to public, private and community media.
The Constitution also has articles that are significant in terms of sovereignty and the prohibition of foreign military bases, as Article 5 states: "Ecuador is a peaceful territory. We will not permit the establishment of foreign military bases nor foreign facilities with military aims. It is prohibited to cede national military bases to foreign armed or security forces." Ecuador defines itself as a country that promotes peace, universal disarmament, condemns the use of weapons of mass destruction and the imposition of bases or facilities with military purposes of some states in the territory of other nations. (Article 416, 4). This is a victory not only for Ecuadorian organizations, but also for continental and worldwide networks that have struggled to abolish foreign military bases.
Rethinking the Economic Model
The new Constitution also has a chapter on the prioritization of national production in its economy. In regards to development, it recognizes the "group of economic, political, social, cultural and environmental systems that guarantee the realization of the balanced life, sumak kawsay." This means that economic growth is not the only priority as a means to reach development, instead, it is considered an integrated vision. It proposes, among other things, "to build a fair, democratic, productive, solidarity-based and sustainable economic system founded on the equitable distribution of development benefits, means of production and the generation of dignified and stable work." (Article 276)
The Constitution recovers the role of the State in participatory development planning in areas such as health care, education, housing and water supply, among other things. Some of these had been turned over to the private sector during years of neoliberal implementation. Now the State will maintain control of the financial sector and develop policies to avoid the concentration or hoarding of means of production.