Republicanism and armed citizenship in Argentina's National Constitution

In this work, we analyze the links between the theory of republicanism and armed citizenship in Argentinian debates in the nineteenth century. The theoretical and historical approach allows the interpretation of two articles of the National Constitution: Article 21, which establishes the obligation of all citizens "to bear arms in defense of the fatherland and of this Constitution", and Article 22, which considers that "any armed force or meeting of persons assuming the rights of the people and petitioning in their name, commits the crime of sedition". An analysis under the light of the republican conception of armed citizenship shows in these two clauses the paradox of popular sovereignty that, on the one hand, recognizes and maintains the constituent power in the people and, on the other hand, aims to restraints and subjects it by state authorities.