The DNA of constitutional justice in Latin America: politics, governance, and judicial design

In recent times there has been a dramatic change in the nature and scope of constitutional justice systems in the global south.

New or reformed constitutions have proliferated, protecting social, economic, and political rights.

While constitutional courts in Latin America have traditionally been used as ways to limit power and preserve the status quo, the evidence shows that they are evolving into a functioning part of contemporary politics and a central component of a system of constitutional justice.

This book lays bare the political roots of this transformation, outlining a new way to understand judicial design and the very purpose of constitutional justice.

Authors Daniel M. Brinks and Abby Blass use case studies drawn from 19 Latin American countries over 40 years to reveal the ideas behind the new systems of constitutional justice.