Circulation of Public Law in the South- American Republics, 1860-1880. Transnational Debates on Democracy and Limited Government

CUCCHI LAURA

Frankfurt

Jornada; Netzwerktagung der Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung; 2022

Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Fundación Alexander von Humboldt

At this lecture, I will present my current research project on the circulation of books, intellectuals, and ideas regarding democracy and limited government in South America in the late 19th century. This means, well after the region achieved independence from the Spanish rule, created new states, and drafted republican constitutions. My interest lies in how these codes were put into motion; thus, I examine constitutional controversies (in parliamentary politics and their echo on the public sphere) that emerged when local Congresses had to regulate key aspects of the brand-new political institutions, such as the electoral system, the military organization, or the freedom of the press, to mention a few highly controversial issues.