Electoral processes and hegemony crises in the constitutional transition of Ecuador (1931-1933)

Abstract

This article explores the electoral processes and the crisis of hegemony that unfolded during Ecuador’s constitutional transition between 1931 and 1933 an era regarded as pivotal for understanding the reorganization of national political structures. It investigates how the disintegration of the oligarchic order and the internal fragmentation of political parties created a climate of instability, undermining the traditional elites' capacity to maintain political consensus, while simultaneously allowing popular sectors to emerge as central actors in the political sphere. The analysis considers the impact of the collapsing agro-export model, the emergence of charismatic leadership, the function of political parties, the prevailing electoral legislation, and patterns of social mobilization in shaping the electoral landscape. In addition, the study examines the interplay between political actors, institutions, and ideological values, which helps reveal the complexity of the elections and how the broader economic and social crisis contributed to the reshaping of political legitimacy and the authority of the state. Drawing from primary sources including national and regional newspapers, archival records, and political pamphlets alongside scholarly literature, the research demonstrates that the core issue extended beyond electoral rivalries. At stake was the capacity of the ruling elites to uphold their hegemonic dominance amid the rising political engagement of subaltern groups. The findings further underscore the inability of traditional political parties to effectively address social demands, the emergence of the military as a key political force, and the rise of personalist leaderships that would later redefine the country’s political trajectory. Altogether, the article offers a broad and integrative perspective that enhances the understanding of how electoral processes became arenas of conflict, negotiation, and transformation central to the study of political change and continuity in Ecuadorian history.