Brazil marks 38 years of the 1988 Citizen Constitution

The 1988 Constitution of Brazil, often referred to as the ‘Citizen Constitution,’ marks 38 years since its promulgation. The document represented a formal return to constitutional democracy following more than two decades of authoritarian rule.

Reflecting on the historical significance of the charter, legal perspectives emphasize that the survival of democracy depends on the constitution being ‘effectively lived’ through the collective consciousness of citizens and the commitment of institutions to its principles.

In the context of Brazilian legal and educational frameworks, the 1988 Constitution serves as the foundation for various subsequent laws, including the Guidelines and Bases of National Education and the National Education Plan. These legal structures govern aspects of the country such as the universalization of school libraries and the implementation of the National Common Curricular Base.