Evolución histórica de la potestad normativa y reglamentaria en el ordenamiento jurídico ecuatoriano: de la centralización al pluralismo normativo

This study analyzes the historical evolution of normative and regulatory power within Ecuador’s legal system, starting from the centralized nation-state model toward a more complex and decentralized configuration, marked by the recognition of normative pluralism. It examines how successive constitutions and legal reforms have reshaped normative powers between the central government and territorial entities, especially after the 2008 Constitution. This article assesses the institutional changes that have fostered the redistribution of normative power, the role of decentralized autonomous governments (GADs), and the recognition of Indigenous legal systems, linking these developments to the concept of multilevel governance and pluriversal constitutionalism. Methodology a qualitative, historical-legal, and dogmatic method is used. The historical approach traces the transformation of the normative system from the 1830 Constitution to that of 2008, while the dogmatic analysis focuses on the interpretation of constitutional norms, organic laws, and relevant case law. Additionally, a documentary and doctrinal review is carried out, incorporating perspectives from comparative constitutional law and legal pluralism theory. The study concludes that Ecuador’s normative power evolves from a state-centric model toward a more open and pluriversal framework. The 2008 Constitution marks a turning point by recognizing legislative powers for GADs and validating Indigenous customary law. Tensions remain between the unity of state legislation and the recognition of local and ethnic autonomies; therefore, mechanisms for normative coordination and constitutional control should be further developed to reconcile pluralism with legal certainty.