This book analyses the constitutional and political thinking of Venezuelan war general and political visionary, Francisco de Miranda (1750-1816). It unravels Miranda's emancipatory ideas that were hidden or discarded by local or doctrinal oligarchic interests, and which were not correctly perceived by most historians. The book presents Miranda's political texts (constitutional projects, pamphlets, proclamations, publications, letters) in detail in their respective contexts with analytical commentaries. It rescues the philosophy of an atypical revolutionary and singular hero who proposed an original synthesis of Anglo-Saxon, French and Indigenous cultures. It showcases the farsightedness of Miranda's projects for a federal constitution found in current principles of geographical subsidiarity, pre-empting the work of the European Union: strong federal powers but strictly limited to external defence/diplomacy, economic and monetary union, and human rights, while other policies remain decentralized for efficiency and to protect local identities. Miranda's draft constitutions for Spanish America and Brazil show his belief in a new legal-institutional framework rooted in local and indigenous institutions and cultures, which would warrant regional, social and racial integration, which in turn was necessary to transform political independence into lasting emancipation and sustainable socioeconomic development.

Written in a crucial period of revolutions and wars that shaped the Western world, Miranda's work remains nonetheless very relevant in alleviating profound difficulties of governability, not only for Latin America and the stagnation of its regional integration but also for a globalized world and the socio-political challenge of multicultural societies. This important book appeals to a broad readership, including historians, policymakers, political scientists and constitutionalists, Latin America experts, and experts on regional integration.

Discusses 18th c. Latin American regionalism through the writings of a highly influential Venezuelan war general Provides a rereading of British geopolitical strategies in the region in the 18th century Showcases De Miranda's crucial contributions to regional integration in Latin America

Autorentext

Christian Ghymers is a macro-economist, agrégé de l'enseignement supérieur (PhD equivalent) and Honorary Professor of International Economics with tenure at the ICHEC-Brussels Management School, President of Institute for Relations Between the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean (IRELAC), and Vice-President of the Robert Triffin International/University of Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium. He specializes in governance, Latin American policy issues, international monetary topics, and regional integration. He had a career as adviser in the European Commission (DG Economic and Financial Affairs), the Joint Vienna Institute (IMF Institute), the ECLAC/CEPAL-United Nations Secretary (Santiago), the Research Department of the National Bank of Belgium, and has been Visiting Professor or Lecturer in various Universities (UCL Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium, IESEG Lille, Aix-Marseille II, Ecole Nationale d' Administration ENA Strasbourg, France, and Universities in Chile).

Inhalt

Prologue.- An introductory study on Miranda's political thought.- Is Miranda a precursor of the current democratic governance.- The constitutional projects for Hispano America and Brazil.- Miranda s political manifestos in Francia.- The Paris Act 22nd December 1797.- Excerpts from Miranda's main journalistic publications in London 1810.- Miranda s main proclamations.- Selection of letter extracts.- Analysis of the British policy with Latin America and towards Miranda.- Chapter 9. Deputy Miranda s interventions in Venezuela Constituent 1811 IX 1- Excerpts from parliamentary interventions of the Deputy Miranda in the Supreme Constituent Congress of Venezuela Caracas July 1811 IX 2.- Deputy Miranda s objections to the 1811 Constitution Federal Constitution for the States of Venezuela Caracas 21st December 1811.