Normas programáticas y pluralismo axiólogico en el derecho constitucional

Among the typical contents of the constitutional documents the so called programmatic provision occupy an important place, as they focus on advancing the main developing profiles of the legal order that they intend to set forth. These provisions present two fundamental characteristics: a) the non-self-executing character (they require legislative intervention by Parliaments in order to develop all of their potentiality); b) the very profound ideological (axiological) character. Both characteristics originate particular and complex legal problems: on the one hand, the non-self-executing character raise the discussion on the effectiveness of this kind of provisions before the intervention of the legislator; on the other hand, the ideological character has to do with the compatibility of the legal provisions adopted by the legislator and the aims established by the programmatic provisions. With regard to the first aspect, the work intends to reflect, on the basis of the Italian constitutional experience, on the effects that these programmatic provisions may produce before the adoption of the relevant legal provisions by the legislator. As far as the second aspect is concerned, this essay tackles the discussion within the larger framework of the axiological pluralism normally characterizing the contemporary constitutions, in which several values co-exist in mutual tension. This let the author highlight that, in case of conflict between values, the priorities problem can not be exclusively faced up by the legislator or by the jurisdictions, but it requires the use of ad hoc procedures, as it is the case in Italy when determining the concrete obligations to be guaranteed in the event of a strike affecting the essential public services, with a fundamental role to be played by an Administrative Independent Authority.