Impact of legal research on the construction of fundamental rights

Abstract

Legal research was a fundamental pillar in the understanding, transformation, and defense of essential rights, which underwent changes alongside social and political processes occurring internationally. The purpose of the study was to analyze how legal research served as an essential resource to ensure the permanence and strengthening of these rights within current dynamics. To this end, theoretical and empirical methods were used, including documentary review and semi-structured interviews with key informants. The analysis of the information gathered revealed widespread recognition of the importance of legal research in the evolution of rights, as its influence was reflected both in the consolidation of existing rights and in the need to formulate new ones in response to emerging social demands. The findings indicated that legal research was not limited to explaining the normative foundation of fundamental rights, but also made it possible to anticipate challenges and problems arising in diverse settings. This work proved innovative in demonstrating the capacity of research to adapt to changes and, at the same time, serve as a driving force in the generation of new regulatory frameworks. It concluded that legal research provided solid knowledge that strengthened the effective protection of fundamental rights and facilitated the progressive recognition of other rights linked to the transformations of contemporary society.