Constitutional Openness in 1991, Ethnic and Cultural Diversity, and Political System: a Philosophical-Political Approach

• Main Author: Nelson Jair Cuchumbé Holguín
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana 2012-08-01
• Series: Universitas Humanística
• Subjects: Constitutional Openness in 1991; Ethical-Political Conflict; Multiculturalism; Shared Political Culture; Democracy and Deliberation.
• Online Access: http://revistas.javeriana.edu.co/index.php/univhumanistica/article/view/3642/3179

The multicultural approach seems to be the most praiseworthy instrument through which the acknowledgement of cultural diversity could renew the deontic structure legitimised by the socio-political order in Colombia. Facing a State model based on the denial and exclusion of diversity, the multicultural State allows for pluralism to be articulated into it. In this way, the formation of political unity becomes a matter determined by dialogue, mutual acknowledgement and cultural enhancement. Nevertheless, the multicultural interpretation lacks plausibility if the formation of the State is understood in a pragmatic and universalistic way. From this perspective, the inclusion of the Other is likely only if social actors promote interactions regulated by a political culture based on constitutional principles, active participation, public deliberation and the organisational ability of communities. A shared political culture of this nature seems unavoidable if the purpose is to form a citizenship more suited to living in a democracy.