Judges of the peace in the consolidation of the sovereign state

Abstract

This article presents justices of the peace as community leaders elected by popular vote to promote coexistence and resolve everyday conflicts quickly, free of charge, and equitably. They act as mediators within their own communities to prevent neighborhood disputes from escalating to higher judicial levels. Within the Venezuelan legal framework, they are primarily governed by the Organic Law of Community Justice of the Peace (2024). Therefore, this article focuses on constructing emerging theoretical elements based on the interpretation of the meanings and significance attributed to the actions of justices of the peace in the consolidation of the sovereign state in Venezuela. The scientific basis for this analysis is the modern theory of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), proposed by Frank E. A. Sander (1976). The research is framed within the interpretive paradigm, using the Symbolic Interactionism method, which is oriented toward the knowledge and understanding of a social phenomenon. I applied techniques typical of the qualitative approach, such as participant observation and in-depth interviews. The study's findings allowed me to construct conceptual categories related to the role of justices of the peace in consolidating the sovereign state. These categories enabled me to conclude that a justice of the peace contributes to the consolidation of a sovereign state. Their peaceful work allows for the swift and equitable resolution of disputes, preventing neighborhood conflicts from escalating, reducing the burden on the ordinary judicial system, and strengthening social cohesion