%0 Journal Article %T Ultima Ratio as a Constitutional Principle %A Kaarlo Tuori %J Oˋati Socio-Legal Series %D 2013 %I %X The paper argues the criminal law notion of ultima ratio is an instance of a broader constitutional law principle of proportionality. However, ultima ratio is not the only principle relevant in a constitutional assessment of criminalization. The role of ultima ratio is to impose limitations on criminalization. But constitutional doctrines also exist which call for criminalization and might even be seen as establishing a criminalization obligation. The paper examines three constitutional counter weights to ultima ratio. The first of these is discussed in the context of state constitutions. This is the cluster of the interrelated constitutional doctrines of the horizontal effect of fundamental rights and the protective duty of the state, as well as the understanding of collective security as a basic right. These doctrines are analysed in the light of the praxis of the German Constitutional Court and the Finnish Constitutional Law Committee. The two other constitutional counterweights are discussed at the level of the transnational, European constitution. These are the principles of precaution and effectiveness. Este art赤culo defiende que el concepto de ultima ratio es una instancia m芍s amplia del principio de proporcionalidad dentro del derecho constitucional. Sin embargo, el ultima ratio no es el 迆nico principio relevante en la valoraci車n constitucional de la criminalizaci車n. El papel del ultima ratio es imponer l赤mites a la criminalizaci車n. Pero tambi谷n existen doctrinas constitucionales que exigen la criminalizaci車n e incluso dan pie a entender que obligan a establecer una pena. El documento examina tres contrapesos constitucionales al ultima ratio. En primer lugar, se analiza en el contexto de las constituciones estatales. Este es el conjunto de las doctrinas constitucionales interrelacionadas entre el efecto horizontal de los derechos fundamentales y el deber de protecci車n del Estado, as赤 como la asunci車n de la seguridad colectiva como un derecho fundamental. Estas doctrinas se analizan a la luz de la praxis de la Corte Constitucional de Alemania y del Comit谷 de Derecho Constitucional Finland谷s. Los otros dos contrapesos constitucionales, los principios de precauci車n y eficiencia, se discuten en el 芍mbito de la constituci車n transnacional europea. DOWNLOAD THIS PAPER FROM SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=2200869 %K Ultima ratio %K proportionality %K horizontal effect %K protective duty of the state %K precautionary principle %K principle of effectiveness %K Criminology %K Ultima ratio %K proporcionalidad %K efecto horizontal %K deber de protecci車n del Estado %K principio de precauci車n %U http://ssrn.com/abstract=2200869