Plurinationality, plurinational, or plurinationalism is defined as the coexistence of two or more sealed or preserved national groups within a polity (an organized community or body of peoples[1]). In plurinationalism, the idea of nationality is plural, meaning there are many nationals within an organized community or body of peoples. Derived from this concept, a plurinational state is the existence of multiple political communities and constitutional asymmetry. The usage of plurinationality assists in avoiding the division of societies within a state or country. Furthermore, a plurinational democracy recognizes the multiple demoi (common people or populace)[2] within a polity.[3] Reportedly the term has its origin in the Indigenous political movement in Bolivia where it was first heard of in the early 1980s.[4] As of 2025, Bolivia and Ecuador are constitutionally defined as plurinational states.[5] Proposals for plurinationalism have also been heard in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
Plurinational states are similar to multinational states, but are particularly often advocated for by indigenous peoples.[6]
In 2009, Bolivia adopted a constitution that renamed the country to the "Plurinational State of Bolivia",[7] as spearheaded by Evo Morales.[8] Formerly, it was called the "Republic of Bolivia".[7] Later, in 2010, Morales proclaimed January 22nd to be "Plurinational State Day", an annual holiday; it coincides with the day Morales took power in 2006.[8]
In September 2008, Rafael Correa introduced a new constitution that described Ecuador as a "Plurinational and Intercultural State".[9] The new constitution also recognized 11 indigenous groups within the country.[9] The concept of Ecuador becoming a plurinational state was previously proposed in 1988.[10]
Since 1986, Argentina has been home to an annual meeting for activists to discuss gender-based inequality.[11] In 2022, the name was changed from the "National Women's Meeting" to the "Plurinational Meeting" (though two events, one under each name, were held that year).[11] In 2023, only the "Plurinational Meeting" was held, which was in the city of Bariloche.[11]
In Chile constitutional plurinationalism has been a topic of debate. Plurinationalism was not a concept in the constitutional reforms proposed by Michelle Bachelet's second government (2014–2018), yet the proposed reforms included recognition of Chile's indigenous peoples.[12] The 2022 proposed Political Constitution of the Republic of Chile defined Chile as "plurinational", however this proposal was rejected by a large margin in September 2022.[4] [13] Prior to the dismissal of the proposed constitution the issue of pluranationalism was noted by polls and El PaĂs as particularly divisive in Chile.[14] The creation of a "plurinational region" in southern Chile has been proposed by some scholars and activists as a solution to the Mapuche conflict.[15]
Plurinationalism has been criticized by JosĂ© RodrĂguez Elizondo as being used to advance Bolivian claims against Chile for sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean.[16]
In August 2014, lawmakers in Costa Rica approved a first round vote for a bill that would describe the country as "multiethnic and plurinational" within the constitution of Costa Rica.[17]
In Guatemala, plurinationalism has been championed by Comité de Desarrollo Campesino[4] and the Maya Waqib’ Kej National Convergence.[18] In the Agreement on Identity and Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the government of Guatemala committed to reforms to recognize the Maya peoples, the Garifuna, and the Xinca people[18] and also reframe the country in the constitution of Guatemala as being "of national unity, multi-ethnic, multicultural and multilingual".[19] No such reforms have ever happened to date.[18]
