The Uruguayan political institutions at the end of the 20th century

a balance oriented towards long terms and comparative references with comparable itineraries

Abstract

Starting from lhe second decadc of tIlis century, tbe COWltry managed to fashion an inst it ulional model inspired by ideals ofpluralism, lhe antecedellls and bases ofwhich can be traced back to tite second half oftbe nineteellth cenIUl)'. lts capacity for diagnosiug the shortcomíngs of tIle 1830 COIlstitution, Ibe familiarity with succcssful models, as well as its backing of interparty competition, are what makes this design innovative. Alongside and in competition with Ihis model, tbere developed a diametrica11y opposed tradition. majoritarian and plebiscitary in nature, which can be associated mor~ with lhe most active factions of lhe Colorado Party than with lheir traditiollal nationalist adversary. The article reviews tllese trajectories of tIle Uruguayan polítical system while signalling lbe 'amnesia' of the traditional party collectives whcn it comes lo assessillg tbeir respective historicallegacies