The people of Ecuador were facing chronic turnover in government leading to loss of morale, stability, and hope. That had experienced years of dissatisfaction in government. Ecuador needed a new leader. Enter Rafael Correa.

When Rafael Correa was elected to the presidency in 2007, he brought with him a hope for a brighter future for the country of Ecuador. He proposed a new constitution in 2008 to combat the long-standing corruption in Ecuador’s National Congress. However, Correa’s constitution was far from a heroic document. The 2008 constitution signals the beginning of Correa’s journey of deepening the erosion of democracy in Ecuador through legal measures.

At the surface level, this new constitution brought with it a lot of positives. It incorporated a variety of Correa’s leftish ideas such as social security benefits for nonworkers, acceptance of same-sex marriage, free education through college, and other policies. This all seemed positive for the country and the people. Correa was bringing fresh new legislation. His new prepositions seemed to help prove the lives of his citizens, as they looked on the surface.

Moreover, the constitution was enacted legally. It was adopted by a special Constituent Assembly in July and voted for by more than 60% of Ecuadoran voters when brought to a referendum in September of 2008. The 2008 constitution had the support of the people. The will of the people was adhered to. Correa looked to be expanding democracy for the voters of Ecuador.

However, Correa’s 2008 constitution gave broader powers to the president and allowed the president to serve two consecutive four-year terms. The government was given new and increased control. Ultimately, Correa ended up proposing amendments only three years later.

These amendments, while voted on and approved by the voters, had sweeping reforms to the judicial system, limiting due process, limiting the free press, and more. Therefore, this 2008 constitution opened the door to allow Correa to continue to make structural and institutional changes to Ecuador. The 2008 constitution which seemed so great on the outside was adjusted and added onto.

Given the legality of Correa’s reforms, it seems like this constitution and approved amendments are bringing Ecuador back to a place of democracy. However, the implications and adjustments to the status quo move Ecuador ever further from a place of democracy.

Correa is employing stealth authoritarianism. This is an idea introduced by Ozan O. Varol. Essentially, democratic erosion is occurring, however, it is not obvious on the surface level. For an Ecuadoran who is struggling and hoping for a brighter future, they would see Correa and his reforms as a positive. Given that he is achieving these changes legally, through referendum, and allowing the people to have votes, how can this be a negative?

That’s the sneaky aspect of stealth authoritarianism. Often time this type of erosion is done through legal measures. However, when taking a deep dive, Correa is altering the institutions, such as the Ecuador National Congress, to create a mendable government that he can alter to his benefit. For example, he is limiting some of the barriers to his power such as the judiciary and the private sector of the press. People weren’t free to expose or belittle Correa’s government.

Moreover, looking at the mechanism of democratic erosion, Correa is checking many of the boxes. He is making his changes through constitutional amendments, eliminating aspects of checks and balances, employing some degree of executive aggrandizement, and contracting the public sphere. While this is happening under the nose of the Ecuadoran people, they don’t notice or realize the effects it is having on their democracy.

This 2008 constitution began the regime of Correa’s reforms and democratic takeover in Ecuador. The risks and repercussions of stealth authoritarianism can be seen now when looking back on this time. The concern with stealth authoritarianism is the way it can be disguised as helping in many cases. It was seen that these changes are being made to improve and help the people of Ecuador. Moreover, the initial document contained changes such as socially positive aspects that would incentivize the people to vote in favor of changes. However, later on, Correa passes reforms that are for his own benefit.

Correa took advantage of a country that was struggling and hopeless. His constitution not only didn’t help the situation in Ecuador but through allowing various other reforms to be passed, made the situation in this country worse. This 2008 constitution was the start of Correa’s continuous eroding of Ecuadoran democracy.

Constitutions are seen as cornerstones of democracy. The United States Constitution is a sacred document used to uphold American democracy and a central part of our government. Unlike this important manuscript, the constitution proposed by Correa in 2008 did little to promote the democracy of its country. Correa’s constitution was simply an illusion of an unfulfilled promise of democracy he made to the people of Ecuador.