Simon Bolivar
Simón Bolívar and his Address to Congress
In Simón Bolívar’s message to the Congress of Bolivia, he introduced new concepts that he felt would provide a better outcome for the country and the people of Bolivia. He shared his views on what he considered the necessary changes for the Bolivian government. He proposed a new system of representation, which were the four political powers. The four political powers are similar to a federal system. He suggested that the people would be the ones who appoint the legislators, magistrates, judges, and pastors, through elections. Bolívar states that in the political powers it is necessary for mutual respect. The people who hold positions in the political powers must have complete control over themselves in a calm manner, which means they could not possess any passion during their deliberations. The electoral power allowed the citizens to elect the officers. Unlike in the colonial period, where the people in power were there because of wealth. Bolívar thought there should be regulations in order for the citizens to vote. The citizens must know how to write, sign their names, and read. They also needed to be able to make an honest living through practicing a trade or skill. Citizens would be disqualified if they could not meet these regulations or if they engaged in crime, idleness or were ignorant (O’Connor 14).
The judicial power is of absolute independence. The citizens would choose qualified persons to represent them, and the legislature would choose who would be in the court. This specific power provides safety to the individual rights of the citizens. It also guarantees the safety to “the freedom, equality and security in the social contract” (O’Connor 15). The social contract which pertains to the agreement between the principals of the political rights. Bolívar thought the judicial power should create strong and definitive laws. He also wanted the Bolivian government to include a law that prohibits torture. To
In Simón Bolívar’s message to the Congress of Bolivia, he introduced new concepts that he felt would provide a better outcome for the country and the people of Bolivia. He shared his views on what he considered the necessary changes for the Bolivian government. He proposed a new system of representation, which were the four political powers. The four political powers are similar to a federal system. He suggested that the people would be the ones who appoint the legislators, magistrates, judges, and pastors, through elections. Bolívar states that in the political powers it is necessary for mutual respect. The people who hold positions in the political powers must have complete control over themselves in a calm manner, which means they could not possess any passion during their deliberations. The electoral power allowed the citizens to elect the officers. Unlike in the colonial period, where the people in power were there because of wealth. Bolívar thought there should be regulations in order for the citizens to vote. The citizens must know how to write, sign their names, and read. They also needed to be able to make an honest living through practicing a trade or skill. Citizens would be disqualified if they could not meet these regulations or if they engaged in crime, idleness or were ignorant (O’Connor 14).
The judicial power is of absolute independence. The citizens would choose qualified persons to represent them, and the legislature would choose who would be in the court. This specific power provides safety to the individual rights of the citizens. It also guarantees the safety to “the freedom, equality and security in the social contract” (O’Connor 15). The social contract which pertains to the agreement between the principals of the political rights. Bolívar thought the judicial power should create strong and definitive laws. He also wanted the Bolivian government to include a law that prohibits torture. To
Cited: O 'Connor, Erin E. “The many views of Simón Bolívar.” Documenting Latin America . 2. Leo J.Garfalo. Upper Saddle River: Pearson, 2011. Print.