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What is the Political Situation in Spain? A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction:
Spain, a vibrant nation with a rich history and diverse culture, finds itself navigating a complex and often turbulent political landscape. Understanding the current political situation in Spain requires delving into its unique history, the interplay of various political forces, and the ongoing challenges facing the country. This in-depth analysis will explore the key players, the major issues shaping the political debate, and the potential future trajectories of Spanish politics. We'll dissect the current governing coalition, the opposition's strategies, and the broader socio-economic factors influencing the political climate. By the end of this comprehensive guide, you'll have a clear understanding of the intricacies of Spanish politics and its potential implications for the future.
I. The Current Governing Coalition: A Fragile Balance
Spain's political system is characterized by a multi-party system, often leading to coalition governments. The current government, formed after the inconclusive 2019 general elections and subsequent negotiations, represents a delicate balance of power. This coalition, usually described as left-leaning, faces constant challenges in maintaining unity and pushing through its legislative agenda. The major parties involved often hold diverging views on crucial policies, leading to internal disagreements and potential instability. This inherent fragility is further exacerbated by regional differences and the enduring influence of historical political divisions. The success of this coalition hinges on its ability to manage internal tensions and maintain a broad base of support. Key factors contributing to this fragility include the divergent viewpoints on issues such as Catalan independence, economic policies, and social reforms. The constant negotiation and compromise required to govern create a dynamic and unpredictable political environment.
II. The Main Opposition Parties and Their Strategies
The opposition parties play a crucial role in shaping the political narrative and challenging the government's policies. The main opposition party, traditionally the conservative People's Party (PP), has adopted varying strategies depending on the prevailing political climate. Sometimes focusing on criticizing government policies and highlighting their shortcomings, at other times attempting to appeal to a broader electorate to gain support for a more centrist approach. Other significant opposition forces include Vox, a far-right party that has gained considerable influence in recent years, often using populist rhetoric and focusing on issues of immigration and national identity. Their rise has significantly altered the political landscape, forcing other parties to adjust their positions and strategies. The success of these opposition parties depends on their ability to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with the ruling coalition, offer credible alternatives, and unify their bases. Understanding their strategies is crucial to analyzing the broader political dynamics.
III. Catalan Independence: A Persistent Challenge
The issue of Catalan independence remains a significant and divisive element within Spanish politics. The persistent desire for self-determination within Catalonia has led to various periods of tension, including mass protests, referendums (declared illegal by the Spanish government), and legal battles. This issue fundamentally impacts the stability of the Spanish political system and the governing coalition's ability to address other pressing matters. Finding a lasting solution to the Catalan question requires navigating complex constitutional and legal frameworks while addressing the deep-seated grievances and aspirations of the Catalan people. Any attempt at resolving this issue will require significant compromise and a willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue. The long-term effects of the Catalan independence movement on Spain’s political landscape are far-reaching and continue to shape political debate.
IV. Socio-Economic Factors and their Political Impact
Spain's political landscape is profoundly influenced by socio-economic factors. Issues like unemployment, particularly among young people, income inequality, and regional economic disparities often play a pivotal role in shaping political discourse and electoral outcomes. Public dissatisfaction with the economic situation can significantly influence voter preferences and contribute to political instability. Addressing these socio-economic concerns is crucial not only for improving the lives of Spanish citizens but also for promoting political stability and cohesion. The government's economic policies, including its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic's economic fallout and the ongoing effects of global economic uncertainty, are constantly scrutinized and often become major political battlegrounds.
V. Future Trajectories: Potential Scenarios
Predicting the future of Spanish politics is inherently challenging, but examining current trends and analyzing the strategies of different political actors offers some insights into potential scenarios. The future could see a continuation of coalition governments, potentially with shifts in alliances and power dynamics. The rise of populist movements, both on the left and right, could reshape the political landscape, potentially leading to greater political polarization. The resolution (or lack thereof) of the Catalan question remains a key factor in determining the stability of the political system. Addressing the socio-economic challenges facing Spain will be critical for ensuring long-term political stability and social cohesion. The future of Spanish politics is intricately linked to its ability to address these critical issues and adapt to changing global dynamics.
Article Outline:
Title: What is the Political Situation in Spain? A Comprehensive Overview
Introduction: Hooking the reader and outlining the article's content.
Chapter 1: The Current Governing Coalition: A Fragile Balance.
Chapter 2: The Main Opposition Parties and Their Strategies.
Chapter 3: Catalan Independence: A Persistent Challenge.
Chapter 4: Socio-Economic Factors and their Political Impact.
Chapter 5: Future Trajectories: Potential Scenarios.
Conclusion: Summarizing key findings and offering concluding thoughts.
(The detailed content for each chapter is provided above in the main article body.)
FAQs:
1. What is the dominant political ideology in Spain currently? Spain currently operates under a multi-party system, with no single dominant ideology. The current governing coalition is considered left-leaning but encompasses a broad spectrum of political viewpoints.
2. How influential is the European Union in Spanish politics? The EU plays a significant role, influencing economic policy, and shaping national priorities.
3. What is the role of the monarchy in Spanish politics? The monarchy is largely a ceremonial role, with limited political power.
4. What are the main economic challenges facing Spain? High unemployment (especially among youth), regional economic disparities, and the impact of global economic shifts are significant concerns.
5. How does regionalism affect Spanish politics? Regionalism is a major factor, with significant differences in political viewpoints and priorities across different regions. Catalonia's independence movement is the most prominent example.
6. What is the impact of immigration on Spanish politics? Immigration is a key political issue, with varying viewpoints among parties on integration and border control.
7. How is the Spanish judicial system impacting the political landscape? The judicial system's rulings on issues such as Catalan independence and corruption cases significantly influence political events and public perception.
8. What is the role of social movements in Spanish politics? Social movements play a significant role, often mobilizing public opinion and influencing policy debates on issues like climate change, gender equality, and social justice.
9. How stable is the current Spanish political system? The current system is relatively stable but faces challenges related to coalition fragility, regional tensions, and evolving political dynamics.
Related Articles:
1. The History of Spanish Political Parties: A detailed examination of the evolution of major political parties in Spain.
2. Understanding the Spanish Constitution: An analysis of the key features and implications of the Spanish Constitution.
3. The Economic Impact of Catalan Independence: A deep dive into the economic consequences of a potential Catalan secession.
4. Spain's Role in the European Union: An analysis of Spain's participation and influence within the EU.
5. The Rise of Populism in Spain: An examination of the factors contributing to the growing influence of populist parties.
6. Social Movements and Political Change in Spain: Exploring the role of social movements in shaping political discourse and outcomes.
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8. Regional Disparities and Economic Inequality in Spain: An in-depth analysis of the socio-economic challenges faced by different regions.
9. The Future of Spanish Democracy: Exploring potential scenarios for the future of Spanish democracy and the challenges it faces.
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| what is the political situation in spain: Homage to Catalonia George Orwell, 2024-10-24 Step into the heart of revolutionary Spain with George Orwell's powerful account, Homage to Catalonia. In this poignant narrative, Orwell recounts his firsthand experiences fighting in the Spanish Civil War, offering a vivid and deeply personal perspective on the political and social upheaval of the time. Orwell’s writing brings to life the intense struggles, challenges, and betrayals he witnessed as he joined the militia in Catalonia. With sharp clarity, he paints a stark picture of the ideological divides that tore the country apart, and the complexities of war that blurred the lines between friend and foe.But here's the twist that will captivate you: What does Orwell’s experience reveal about the nature of truth, power, and the human spirit during times of war? Can we learn from the past to avoid repeating its mistakes? This extraordinary memoir offers a rare look into the realities of war, filled with unflinching honesty and a deep sense of humanism. Through Orwell’s eyes, the reader gains an intimate understanding of the personal costs of conflict and the difficult choices soldiers had to make. Are you ready to witness the raw, unfiltered truths of war as seen through the eyes of one of history's most influential writers?Dare to immerse yourself in the brutal honesty of Homage to Catalonia and experience a unique chapter of history that continues to resonate today. Purchase it now, and begin your journey through Orwell’s compelling narrative of war, ideology, and survival. |
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| what is the political situation in spain: The Spanish Civil War: A Very Short Introduction Helen Graham, 2005-03-24 Helen Graham highlights the domestic and international context of the Spanish Civil War, and reveals its origins in the political and cultural anxieties provoked by the rapid modernization of Europe. Using personal narratives, she combines a powerfully human account of the war an its aftermath with a disturbing ethical enquiry into its legacy for the 21st century.--BOOK JACKET. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Distant Tyranny Regina Grafe, 2012-01-08 Spain's development from a premodern society into a modern unified nation-state with an integrated economy was painfully slow and varied widely by region. Economic historians have long argued that high internal transportation costs limited domestic market integration, while at the same time the Castilian capital city of Madrid drew resources from surrounding Spanish regions as it pursued its quest for centralization. According to this view, powerful Madrid thwarted trade over large geographic distances by destroying an integrated network of manufacturing towns in the Spanish interior. Challenging this long-held view, Regina Grafe argues that decentralization, not a strong and powerful Madrid, is to blame for Spain's slow march to modernity. Through a groundbreaking analysis of the market for bacalao--dried and salted codfish that was a transatlantic commodity and staple food during this period--Grafe shows how peripheral historic territories and powerful interior towns obstructed Spain's economic development through jurisdictional obstacles to trade, which exacerbated already high transport costs. She reveals how the early phases of globalization made these regions much more externally focused, and how coastal elites that were engaged in trade outside Spain sought to sustain their positions of power in relation to Madrid. Distant Tyranny offers a needed reassessment of the haphazard and regionally diverse process of state formation and market integration in early modern Spain, showing how local and regional agency paradoxically led to legitimate governance but economic backwardness. |
| what is the political situation in spain: VOX José Rama, Lisa Zanotti, Stuart J. Turnbull-Dugarte, Andrés Santana, 2021-06-15 This book examines VOX, the first major and electorally successful populist radical right-wing party to emerge in Spain since the death of General Franco, and the restoration of parliamentary democracy in the late 1970s. In December 2018, VOX, a new party on the populist radical right, entered the Andalusian regional parliament, and played the role of kingmaker in the ensuing government formation discussions. Since then, under the leadership of Santiago Abascal, VOX has earned political representation in numerous local, regional and national elections. The party attracted more than 3.6 million votes in the November 2019 general election, making VOX the third largest party in the Spanish Congress. In two years, the party has become a key political challenger and an important player in Spanish politics. This book explains the origins of the party, its ideology and relationship with democracy, its appeal with voters, and its similarities with (and differences from) other populist radical right parties in Europe. It draws upon a rich source of domestic as well as cross-national survey data and a systematic analysis of party manifestos which provide a detailed account of the rise of VOX and what its emergence means for Spanish politics. This volume will be of interest to scholars of comparative politics, political parties, voters and elections, Spanish politics, the populist radical right and populism in general. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Building Primary Care in a Changing Europe Dionne S. Kringos, W. G. W. Boerma, Allen Hutchinson, Richard B. Saltman, 2015 For many citizens primary health care is the first point of contact with their health care system, where most of their health needs are satisfied but also acting as the gate to the rest of the system. In that respect primary care plays a crucial role in how patients value health systems as responsive to their needs and expectations. This volume analyses the way how primary are is organized and delivered across European countries, looking at governance, financing and workforce aspects and the breadth of the service profiles. It describes wide national variations in terms of accessibility, continuity and coordination. Relating these differences to health system outcomes the authors suggest some priority areas for reducing the gap between the ideal and current realities. |
| what is the political situation in spain: The Populist Radical Right Cas Mudde, 2016-10-04 The populist radical right is one of the most studied political phenomena in the social sciences, counting hundreds of books and thousands of articles. This is the first reader to bring together the most seminal articles and book chapters on the contemporary populist radical right in western democracies. It has a broad regional and topical focus and includes work that has made an original theoretical contribution to the field, which make them less time-specific. The reader is organized in six thematic sections: (1) ideology and issues; (2) parties, organizations, and subcultures; (3) leaders, members, and voters; (4) causes; (5) consequences; and (6) responses. Each section features a short introduction by the editor, which introduces and ties together the selected pieces and provides discussion questions and suggestions for further readings. The reader is ended with a conclusion in which the editor reflects on the future of the populist radical right in light of (more) recent political developments – most notably the Greek economic crisis and the refugee crisis – and suggest avenues for future research. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Contemporary Spain Christopher Ross, Bill Richardson, Begoña Sangrador-Vegas, 2016-04-14 Contemporary Spain provides an accessible introduction to the politics, economy, institutions media and cinema of contemporary Spain. This fully revised fourth edition includes new material that makes this the most comprehensive, accurate and up-to-date account of the situation in Spain at this juncture Key features include: accessible and authoritative background information ideal for the non-specialist language student each chapter contains a Spanish/English glossary giving guidance on the use of specialist terms in context along with further reading ideal starting point for more in-depth study. New to this edition: coverage brought up-to-date to include the current economic crisis, related austerity measures and social difficulties new section on the changing public perception of the Spanish monarchy and significant new cases of corruption several chapters expanded to include key topics such as the role of the Internet and social media, key economic issues currently facing the country, youth employment and civil discontent ‘Spain in the Contemporary World’ thoroughly revised to include a more comprehensive account of the relationship between Spain and the EU and other parts of the world new chapter on ‘The Media and Film’ covering covering the most relevant directors and films in contemporary Spanish cinema.. This chapter also includes a discussion on the regional differences and cultures of the various autonomous communities. Suggestions for further reading at the end of each chapter. Contemporary Spain is an invaluable resource for all undergraduate students on Hispanic Studies courses. The authoritative background information provides a solid foundation and a springboard for further study. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Scots and Catalans J. H. Elliott, 2018-08-21 A landmark account that reveals the long history behind the current Catalan and Scottish independence movements A distinguished historian of Spain and Europe provides an enlightening account of the development of nationalist and separatist movements in contemporary Catalonia and Scotland. This first sustained comparative study uncovers the similarities and the contrasts between the Scottish and Catalan experiences across a five-hundred-year period, beginning with the royal marriages that brought about union with their more powerful neighbors, England and Castile respectively, and following the story through the centuries from the end of the Middle Ages until today’s dramatic events. J. H. Elliott examines the political, economic, social, cultural, and emotional factors that divide Scots and Catalans from the larger nations to which their fortunes were joined. He offers new insights into the highly topical subject of the character and development of European nationalism, the nature of separatism, and the sense of grievance underlying the secessionist aspirations that led to the Scottish referendum of 2014, the illegal Catalan referendum of October 2017, and the resulting proclamation of an independent Catalan republic. |
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| what is the political situation in spain: Electoral Engineering Pippa Norris, 2004-02-09 From Kosovo to Kabul, the last decade witnessed growing interest in ?electoral engineering?. Reformers have sought to achieve either greater government accountability through majoritarian arrangements or wider parliamentary diversity through proportional formula. Underlying the normative debates are important claims about the impact and consequences of electoral reform for political representation and voting behavior. The study compares and evaluates two broad schools of thought, each offering contracting expectations. One popular approach claims that formal rules define electoral incentives facing parties, politicians and citizens. By changing these rules, rational choice institutionalism claims that we have the capacity to shape political behavior. Alternative cultural modernization theories differ in their emphasis on the primary motors driving human behavior, their expectations about the pace of change, and also their assumptions about the ability of formal institutional rules to alter, rather than adapt to, deeply embedded and habitual social norms and patterns of human behavior. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Making Politics Work for Development World Bank, 2016-07-14 Governments fail to provide the public goods needed for development when its leaders knowingly and deliberately ignore sound technical advice or are unable to follow it, despite the best of intentions, because of political constraints. This report focuses on two forces—citizen engagement and transparency—that hold the key to solving government failures by shaping how political markets function. Citizens are not only queueing at voting booths, but are also taking to the streets and using diverse media to pressure, sanction and select the leaders who wield power within government, including by entering as contenders for leadership. This political engagement can function in highly nuanced ways within the same formal institutional context and across the political spectrum, from autocracies to democracies. Unhealthy political engagement, when leaders are selected and sanctioned on the basis of their provision of private benefits rather than public goods, gives rise to government failures. The solutions to these failures lie in fostering healthy political engagement within any institutional context, and not in circumventing or suppressing it. Transparency, which is citizen access to publicly available information about the actions of those in government, and the consequences of these actions, can play a crucial role by nourishing political engagement. |
| what is the political situation in spain: A Political Philosophy in Public Life José Luis Martí, Philip Pettit, 2012-07-22 The story of a Princeton professor's role as the unofficial philosophical adviser to the Spanish government This book examines an unlikely development in modern political philosophy: the adoption by a major national government of the ideas of a living political theorist. When José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero became Spain's opposition leader in 2000, he pledged that if his socialist party won power he would govern Spain in accordance with the principles laid out in Philip Pettit's 1997 book Republicanism, which presented, as an alternative to liberalism and communitarianism, a theory of freedom and government based on the idea of nondomination. When Zapatero was elected President in 2004, he invited Pettit to Spain to give a major speech about his ideas. Zapatero also invited Pettit to monitor Spanish politics and deliver a kind of report card before the next election. Pettit did so, returning to Spain in 2007 to make a presentation in which he gave Zapatero's government a qualified thumbs-up for promoting republican ideals. In this book, Pettit and José Luis Martí provide the historical background to these unusual events, explain the principles of civic republicanism in accessible terms, present Pettit's report and his response to some of its critics, and include an extensive interview with Zapatero himself. In addition, the authors discuss what is required of a political philosophy if it is to play the sort of public role that civic republicanism has been playing in Spain. An important account of a rare and remarkable encounter between contemporary political philosophy and real-world politics, this is also a significant work of political philosophy in its own right. |
| what is the political situation in spain: The Politics of Language in the Spanish-Speaking World Clare Mar-Molinero, 2002-11 This book traces how and why Spanish has arrived at its current position, examining its role in the diverse societies where it is spoken from Europe to the Americas. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Spain After Franco Richard Gunther, Giacomo Sani, Goldie Shabad, 2023-11-10 |
| what is the political situation in spain: Modern Spain Enrique Ávila López, 2015-12-07 Fulfilling the need for English-source material on contemporary Spain, this book supplies readers with an in-depth, interdisciplinary guide to the country of Spain and its intricate, diverse culture. Far from a usual reference book, Modern Spain takes the reader through the country's history, economy, and politics as well as topics that address Spain's popular culture, such as food, sports, and sexuality. Because of the interdisciplinary nature of its content, this book differs from the average typical English manuals that very rarely cover in depth the whole array of interesting issues that define Spain in the 21st century. The vast amount of information makes this book the perfect companion for any reader wishing to learn more about Spain. Packed with current facts and statistics, this book offers an unbiased view of a modern country, making it an ideal source for undergraduate students and scholars. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Why Nations Fail Daron Acemoglu, James A. Robinson, 2013-09-17 Brilliant and engagingly written, Why Nations Fail answers the question that has stumped the experts for centuries: Why are some nations rich and others poor, divided by wealth and poverty, health and sickness, food and famine? Is it culture, the weather, geography? Perhaps ignorance of what the right policies are? Simply, no. None of these factors is either definitive or destiny. Otherwise, how to explain why Botswana has become one of the fastest growing countries in the world, while other African nations, such as Zimbabwe, the Congo, and Sierra Leone, are mired in poverty and violence? Daron Acemoglu and James Robinson conclusively show that it is man-made political and economic institutions that underlie economic success (or lack of it). Korea, to take just one of their fascinating examples, is a remarkably homogeneous nation, yet the people of North Korea are among the poorest on earth while their brothers and sisters in South Korea are among the richest. The south forged a society that created incentives, rewarded innovation, and allowed everyone to participate in economic opportunities. The economic success thus spurred was sustained because the government became accountable and responsive to citizens and the great mass of people. Sadly, the people of the north have endured decades of famine, political repression, and very different economic institutions—with no end in sight. The differences between the Koreas is due to the politics that created these completely different institutional trajectories. Based on fifteen years of original research Acemoglu and Robinson marshall extraordinary historical evidence from the Roman Empire, the Mayan city-states, medieval Venice, the Soviet Union, Latin America, England, Europe, the United States, and Africa to build a new theory of political economy with great relevance for the big questions of today, including: - China has built an authoritarian growth machine. Will it continue to grow at such high speed and overwhelm the West? - Are America’s best days behind it? Are we moving from a virtuous circle in which efforts by elites to aggrandize power are resisted to a vicious one that enriches and empowers a small minority? - What is the most effective way to help move billions of people from the rut of poverty to prosperity? More philanthropy from the wealthy nations of the West? Or learning the hard-won lessons of Acemoglu and Robinson’s breakthrough ideas on the interplay between inclusive political and economic institutions? Why Nations Fail will change the way you look at—and understand—the world. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Political Change in Spain Edward Moxon-Browne, 2024-02-29 First published in 1989, Political Change in Spain provides a stimulating and innovative account of Spain’s maturing democracy since 1982. Challenging the accepted wisdom that Spanish democracy is a fragile plant, the author demonstrates its strong roots and healthy growth in the context of the European Community. He argues that, despite the problems of economic transformation, Spain’s political attachments to Western Europe suggest that the Spanish economy will benefit in the long run from its increasing integration with its neighbours. The book also analyses the continuing threat to stability posed by separatist aspirations in the Basque country, in the context of the experiments with autonomous regional governments. This book will be valuable to anyone looking for a succinct introduction to changes in Spain, as well as to students of Western European politics, women’s studies and the Spanish language. |
| what is the political situation in spain: U.S. History P. Scott Corbett, Volker Janssen, John M. Lund, Todd Pfannestiel, Sylvie Waskiewicz, Paul Vickery, 2024-09-10 U.S. History is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of most introductory courses. The text provides a balanced approach to U.S. history, considering the people, events, and ideas that have shaped the United States from both the top down (politics, economics, diplomacy) and bottom up (eyewitness accounts, lived experience). U.S. History covers key forces that form the American experience, with particular attention to issues of race, class, and gender. |
| what is the political situation in spain: The Government and Politics of Spain Paul M. Heywood, 1995-08-16 Despite the widespread attention attracted by Spain's remarkable transition from General Franco's repressive dictatorship to a dynamic democracy, this is the first comprehensive study in English of the new Spanish political system. The book introduces the main institutions and features of the contemporary Spanish state and assesses to what extent these still bear the imprint of the Francoist legacy. Despite some remaining obstacles and difficulties, Paul Heywood argues, the country is now decisively in the political mainstream of the new Europe. |
| what is the political situation in spain: The Road to Wigan Pier George Orwell, 2024-04-26 George Orwell provides a vivid and unflinching portrayal of working-class life in Northern England during the 1930s. Through his own experiences and meticulous investigative reporting, Orwell exposes the harsh living conditions, poverty, and social injustices faced by coal miners and other industrial workers in the region. He documents their struggles with unemployment, poor housing, and inadequate healthcare, as well as the pervasive sense of hopelessness and despair that permeates their lives. In the second half of the The Road to Wigan Pier Orwell delves into the complexities of political ideology, as he grapples with the shortcomings of both socialism and capitalism in addressing the needs of the working class. GEORGE ORWELL was born in India in 1903 and passed away in London in 1950. As a journalist, critic, and author, he was a sharp commentator on his era and its political conditions and consequences. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Eric Hobsbawm Richard J. Evans, 2019-03-29 Eric Hobsbawm's works have had a nearly incalculable effect across generations of readers and students, influencing more than the practice of history but also the perception of it. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, of second-generation British parents, Hobsbawm was orphaned at age fourteen in 1931. Living with an uncle in Berlin, he experienced the full force of world economic depression, and in the charged reaction to it in Germany was forced to choose between Nazism and Communism, which was no choice at all. Hobsbawm's lifelong allegiance to Communism inspired his pioneering work in social history, particularly the trilogy for which he is most famous--The Age of Revolution, The Age of Capital, and The Age of Empire--covering what he termed the long nineteenth century in Europe. Selling in the millions of copies, these held sway among generations of readers, some of whom went on to have prominent careers in politics and business. In this comprehensive biography of Hobsbawm, acclaimed historian Richard Evans (author of The Third Reich Trilogy, among other works) offers both a living portrait and vital insight into one of the most influential intellectual figures of the twentieth century. Using exclusive and unrestricted access to the unpublished material, Evans places Hobsbawm's writings within their historical and political context. Hobsbawm's Marxism made him a controversial figure but also, uniquely and universally, someone who commanded respect even among those who did not share-or who even outright rejected-his political beliefs. Eric Hobsbawm: A Life in History gives us one of the 20th century's most colorful and intellectually compelling figures. It is an intellectual life of the century itself. |
| what is the political situation in spain: The Political Economy of Governance Norman Schofield, Gonzalo Caballero, 2015-05-27 Understanding the governance of nations is a key challenge in contemporaneous political economy. This book provides new advances and the latest research in the field of political economy, dealing with the study of institutions, governance, democracy and elections. The volume focuses on issues such as the role of institutions and political governance in society, the working of democracy and the electoral performance in several case studies. The chapters involve cutting edge research on many different countries, including the USA, Great Britain, Germany, Spain and the Third World. The authors of the chapters are leading scholars in political economy from America, Europe and Asia. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Democracy Without Justice in Spain Omar G. Encarnacion, 2014-01-11 Spain is a notable exception to the implicit rules of late twentieth-century democratization: after the death of General Francisco Franco in 1975, the recovering nation began to consolidate democracy without enacting any of the mechanisms promoted by the international transitional justice movement. There were no political trials, no truth and reconciliation commissions, no formal attributions of blame, and no apologies. Instead, Spain's national parties negotiated the Pact of Forgetting, an agreement intended to place the bloody Spanish Civil War and the authoritarian excesses of the Franco dictatorship firmly in the past, not to be revisited even in conversation. Formalized by an amnesty law in 1977, this agreement defies the conventional wisdom that considers retribution and reconciliation vital to rebuilding a stable nation. Although not without its dark side, such as the silence imposed upon the victims of the Civil War and the dictatorship, the Pact of Forgetting allowed for the peaceful emergence of a democratic state, one with remarkable political stability and even a reputation as a trailblazer for the national rights and protections of minority groups. Omar G. Encarnación examines the factors in Spanish political history that made the Pact of Forgetting possible, tracing the challenges and consequences of sustaining the agreement until its dramatic reversal with the 2007 Law of Historical Memory. The combined forces of a collective will to avoid revisiting the traumas of a difficult and painful past and the reliance on the reformed political institutions of the old regime to anchor the democratic transition created a climate conducive to forgetting. At the same time, the political movement to forget encouraged the embrace of a new national identity as a modern and democratic European state. Demonstrating the surprising compatibility of forgetting and democracy, Democratization Without Justice in Spain offers a crucial counterexample to the transitional justice movement. The refusal to confront and redress the past did not inhibit the rise of a successful democracy in Spain; on the contrary, by leaving the past behind, Spain chose not to repeat it. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Primary and Secondary Education During Covid-19 Fernando M. Reimers, 2021-09-14 This open access edited volume is a comparative effort to discern the short-term educational impact of the covid-19 pandemic on students, teachers and systems in Brazil, Chile, Finland, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States. One of the first academic comparative studies of the educational impact of the pandemic, the book explains how the interruption of in person instruction and the variable efficacy of alternative forms of education caused learning loss and disengagement with learning, especially for disadvantaged students. Other direct and indirect impacts of the pandemic diminished the ability of families to support children and youth in their education. For students, as well as for teachers and school staff, these included the economic shocks experienced by families, in some cases leading to food insecurity and in many more causing stress and anxiety and impacting mental health. Opportunity to learn was also diminished by the shocks and trauma experienced by those with a close relative infected by the virus, and by the constrains on learning resulting from students having to learn at home, where the demands of schoolwork had to be negotiated with other family necessities, often sharing limited space. Furthermore, the prolonged stress caused by the uncertainty over the resolution of the pandemic and resulting from the knowledge that anyone could be infected and potentially lose their lives, created a traumatic context for many that undermined the necessary focus and dedication to schoolwork. These individual effects were reinforced by community effects, particularly for students and teachers living in communities where the multifaceted negative impacts resulting from the pandemic were pervasive. This is an open access book. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Elections, Electoral Systems and Volatile Voters Gianfranco Baldini, Adriano Pappalardo, 2009 The analysis, descriptive, interpretative, and explanatory, is based on an original 1945-2007 comparative data set including all relevant political and institutional variables.--BOOK JACKET. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Amnesty in the Age of Human Rights Accountability Francesca Lessa, Leigh A. Payne, 2012-05-28 This edited volume brings together well-established and emerging scholars of transitional justice to discuss the persistence of amnesty in the age of human rights accountability. The volume attempts to reframe debates, moving beyond the limited approaches of 'truth versus justice' or 'stability versus accountability' in which many of these issues have been cast in the existing scholarship. The theoretical and empirical contributions in this book offer new ways of understanding and tackling the enduring persistence of amnesty in the age of accountability. In addition to cross-national studies, the volume encompasses eleven country cases of amnesty for past human rights violations: Argentina, Brazil, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Rwanda, South Africa, Spain, Uganda and Uruguay. The volume goes beyond merely describing these case studies, but also considers what we learn from them in terms of overcoming impunity and promoting accountability to contribute to improvements in human rights and democracy. |
| what is the political situation in spain: American Affective Polarization in Comparative Perspective Noam Gidron, James Adams, Will Horne, 2020-12-03 American political observers express increasing concern about affective polarization, i.e., partisans' resentment toward political opponents. We advance debates about America's partisan divisions by comparing affective polarization in the US over the past 25 years with affective polarization in 19 other western publics. We conclude that American affective polarization is not extreme in comparative perspective, although Americans' dislike of partisan opponents has increased more rapidly since the mid-1990s than in most other Western publics. We then show that affective polarization is more intense when unemployment and inequality are high; when political elites clash over cultural issues such as immigration and national identity; and in countries with majoritarian electoral institutions. Our findings situate American partisan resentment and hostility in comparative perspective, and illuminate correlates of affective polarization that are difficult to detect when examining the American case in isolation. |
| what is the political situation in spain: A People Betrayed: A History of Corruption, Political Incompetence and Social Division in Modern Spain 1874-2018 Paul Preston, 2020-03-05 From the foremost historian of 20th century Spain, A People Betrayed is the story of the devastating betrayal of Spain by its political class, its military and its Church. |
| what is the political situation in spain: The Spanish Welfare State in European Context Ana Marta Guillén, Margarita León, 2016-02-17 Following the death of Franco, Spain underwent a transition to democracy in the mid-1970s. Although a rapid process of modernization occurred, the Spanish welfare state was seen, until fairly recently, as relatively underdeveloped. However, given the progressive Europeanization and expansion of Spanish social policy, questions arise as to whether the Spanish welfare system should still be considered as peripheral to West European welfare states. This volume is divided into three sections. The first section deals with broad trends in the evolution of the Spanish welfare state. To begin with, the consolidation path of social protection policies is explored. Attention is also paid to the process of Europeanization. Furthermore, the analysis explores advances in gender equality policies. In the second section, attention is turned to governance issues, such as collective bargaining, the interplay among levels of government, the welfare mix and public support for social policies. The third and final part of the book addresses five main challenges facing the Spanish welfare state in the 21st century, namely, the need to enhance flexicurity; to achieve a better work-family balance; to coordinate immigration policies with existing social protection; to tackle the persistence of high rates of relative poverty; and to face intense population ageing, both in terms of increasing needs for care and the reform of the pension system. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Trade Unions in Spain Holm-Detlev Köhler, José Pablo Calleja Jiménez, 2013 |
| what is the political situation in spain: Muslim Spain and Portugal Hugh Kennedy, 2014-06-11 This is the first study in English of the political history of Muslim Spain and Portugal, based on Arab sources. It provides comprehensive coverage of events across the whole of the region from 711 to the fall of Granada in 1492. Up till now the history of this region has been badly neglected in comparison with studies of other states in medieval Europe. When considered at all, it has been largely written from Christian sources and seen in terms of the Christian Reconquest. Hugh Kennedy raises the profile of this important area, bringing the subject alive with vivid translations from Arab sources. This will be fascinating reading for historians of medieval Europe and for historians of the middle east drawing out the similarities and contrasts with other areas of the Muslim world. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Whose Spain? Samuel Llano, 2013 English with excerpts in Spanish and French. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Handbook of Electoral System Choice Josep Colomer, 2004-12-17 The topic of electoral reform is an extremely timely one. The accelerated expansion of the number of new democracies in the world generates increasing demands for advice on the choice of electoral rules; at the same time, a new reformism in well established democracies seeks new formulas favoring both more representative institutions and more accountable rulers. This book addresses the theoretical and comparative issues of electoral reform in relation to democratization, political strategies in established democracies and the relative performance of different electoral systems. Case studies on virtually every major democracy or democratizing country in the world are included. |
| what is the political situation in spain: Transforming Gender Citizenship Éléonore Lépinard, Ruth Rubio-Marín, 2018-07-19 Explains the adoption, diffusion of, and resistance to gender quotas in politics, corporate boards and public administration across Europe. |
