Is the Peruvian constitution neoliberal? The influence of the Washington consensus

Abstract

In the period between 1980 and 2000, all Latin American constitutions were substantially reformed. Those reforms were, in general, a turn to the economic right and was a regional phenomenon. Nevertheless, it is stated that the Peruvian constitution was one of the most 'neoliberal' in the region. In this article, we will analyse if the Peruvian constitution is one of the most neoliberal constitutions in Latin America. For that, they study the influence of the Washington consensus in the reform of the Peruvian Constitution of 1993. We also study other factors in that reform, in particular, what they call the 'other consensus', which pursues other objectives. Also, we note that the Peruvian constitution was applied by non-liberal actors who imprinted their social ideas in it. In the end, we conclude that the Peruvian constitution was not neoliberal together with other relevant conclusions.