Cánovas’ System: Centralization, Oligarchy, and Politics in Spain
Cánovas’ System: Centralization and Political Control
C. Centralization. The Restoration worked flawlessly, with decisions made by the executive having an immediate impact at the local level. Both mayors and provincial governors were directly appointed by the central government and acted as agents in the process of constant electoral manipulation. When the Carlist War ended in 1876, the last Basque-Navarrese charters were eliminated. This meant that, from this moment, the Basques were subject to taxes and military service common to the entire state. The so-called *economic agreement*, which maintained fiscal autonomy, appeared. The loss of privileges created a malaise that led to the emergence of the Basque Nationalist Party in the late 19th century.
The Canovista Operating System: Oligarchy and Caciquismo
Cánovas del Castillo was a great admirer of the English system, in which there are only two major parties. Therefore, he encouraged the concentration of political opinion into two main groups:
- Conservative Party (or Liberal-Conservative Union): Led by Cánovas himself until his assassination by an anarchist in 1897, when he was replaced by Francisco Silvela. The party integrated the traditional and conservative sectors of society, except for the most radical Carlists.
- Liberal Party (or Liberal Fusionist Party): Whose undisputed authority was Sagasta. It brought together the old progressives, unionists, and moderate republicans. The social composition of both parties was similar, basically encompassing economic elites and the middle class.
The differences in political activity were minimal. The Conservatives were advocates of the Church and social order, while the Liberals favored secular and progressive reforms. Neither political formation was a mass party in the modern sense. Both parties agreed not to change the constitution. The system was based on the so-called “Pacific Turn.” The monarch was the engine of political change. When appropriate, he dismissed the previous government and appointed another. After dissolving the courts, he automatically called elections, which the incoming government’s party always won.
The turn was based on what Joaquín Costa called “oligarchy and *caciquismo*.” It was a pyramid that started at the Interior Ministry, which controlled the provincial governors, mayors, and *caciques* (local bosses). They were responsible for preparing the elections when the ruling party’s term expired. The *cacique* controlled and managed local public goods, distributed favors in exchange for votes, employed people, made reports, and created administrative difficulties. He was the interface between the state and the people. This entire network was responsible for skewing the elections. Census irregularities occurred, and votes were bought. The system worked in rural areas. It is what is called *encasillado*. Only in big cities did real political will appear, and anti-system parties had a significant presence.
There were real specialists in electoral fraud who systematically occupied the Ministry of Governance: Romero Robledo in the Conservative Party and the Count of Romanones in the Liberal Party. Many intellectuals criticized the system, the most prominent being Joaquín Costa and Ortega y Gasset, along with his work *España Invertebrada*.
Political Developments (1876-1898)
From 1876 to 1898, the Liberal Party, led by Sagasta, was key, introducing changes inspired by the revolutionary democratic constitution of 1869. After the death of Alfonso XII, the Pact of El Pardo was signed, agreeing that in such times, it was best for a Liberal government to prepare the country for possible changes. At this time, various measures were taken:
- A. In 1883, total freedom of the press was achieved.
- B. In 1887, freedom of association was established.