The Principle of Equality: Political Cultures and Constitutional Debate

By Chiara Giorgi

Equality assumed constitutional status with its enshrining in Article 3, paragraphs 1 and 2. This constitutional principle of equality was elaborated by prominent Socialist, Catholic and Communist figures in the Constituent Assembly, who drew upon their own experiences and reflections as well as on the debate surrounding the Beveridge Report. The article aims to retrace the dynamics of both of these developments, illustrating the main sources of inspiration of the new principle of substantial equality.