Casta política y renuncia a la libertad: una lectura crítica desde Hayek y el constitucionalismo democrático

Abstract

This article examines the relationship between concentration of political power and erosion of individual freedom through a critical reading of Friedrich Hayek, connected with democratic theory, constitutional law, and Inter-American human rights standards. A qualitative, theoretical-legal, and documentary approach is used to analyze four dimensions: collectivism and autonomy, oligarchic closure of political organizations, separation of powers, and control of information. The findings show that the notion of a “political caste” is analytically useful only when translated into verifiable phenomena such as oligarchization, cartelization, opacity, and weakened accountability. State intervention does not by itself amount to a loss of freedom; the risk arises when discretion replaces general rules, accountability deteriorates, and informational pluralism is restricted. The article concludes that political freedom requires legal limits on power, effective oversight institutions, and a plural public sphere.