The powers and the people: Latin American views on a universal trajectory Los poderes y el pueblo: miradas latinoamericanas sobre una trayectoria universal

Abstract

This paper addresses the debate on democracy from the complexity involved in specifying a unique concept, in a discussion about the normative ideal, its expression as a social movement and the democratic commitment, leading to the emergence of political models that in Latin America are engaged in the conquest of the fundamental principles of democracy. Amid the ongoing conflict between liberty and equality, the aspiration of overcoming social inequalities and institutional imbalances by the replacement of representativeness for participation arises. Finally, what it is about is to reach the linkage between the Liberal spirit with the Republican and Socialist to preserve the democratic heritage, avoiding the temptations of utopia.