EU Industry & Spanish Political Structure
Main Industrial Areas of the EU
The EU is a major industrial production center. Industrial activity drives European economic development. The main industrial area in the EU runs from the southeast UK to northern Italy, following the Rhine Valley in Germany. It includes cities like London, Paris, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt, and Milan. This area transitioned from traditional industries to more modern ones. Other areas saw industrial decline since the early 1980s despite EU restructuring policies. Some Eastern European countries joining the EU had outdated heavy industries that closed due to unprofitability. They now receive Western European investment due to lower wages, production costs, and skilled labor.
Current EU Industrial Production
While old industries face recession, high-tech industries are in a dynamic phase. These industries grow around major urban areas and transport networks. The EU’s industrial production faces a key challenge: lack of energy resources (oil) and raw materials. The constant search for lower production costs has led to manufacturing moving to non-EU countries.
Services, Commerce, and Communications in the European Union
Towards a Service Economy
EU countries generate most wealth and employ over 65% of the workforce in the service sector (trade, transport, etc.). Technological advancements reduced labor needs in agriculture and industry, shifting the workforce to services. Advanced societies create new activities related to social needs through research, financial services, communication networks, and computer processes.
Commercial Trade
Commercial trade between EU members and the rest of the world is substantial.
Transport
The EU has a strong transport network and focuses on improving and standardizing it across member countries. Most EU transport is by road. The EU is unifying motorways and expressways across member states. It also aims to improve the rail network with the General Plan of High Speed Network, covering over 25,000 km. Shipping goods between EU countries accounts for 90% of trade with the rest of the world. The EU funds port infrastructure. Air transport is key for the single market and EU economic and social cohesion.
The Spanish Government in the European Union
The Spanish State in Europe
Spain didn’t participate in the early stages of European construction due to its dictatorial regime. Negotiations for Spain’s EEC accession began in February 1979. These negotiations lasted seven years, focusing on adapting the Spanish economy to the EU. Spain requested time to adjust customs union aspects and certain monopolies for gradual integration.
The EEC after Spanish Integration
With Spain and Portugal joining the EEC in 1986, the population grew to 329 million. Spain had 8 votes in the Council of Ministers and two commissioners in the European Commission. After enlargement, Spain has one commissioner and 54 deputies in the 736-member European Parliament.
Balance of Spain’s Incorporation into the EU
Spain’s current economic and social development is due to European integration. In 1986, Spain’s per capita income was 68% of the EU average; it’s now 97.7%. EU subsidies created around 300,000 jobs annually. About 90% of investment in Spain comes from outside the EU.
Use of EU Funds
EU funds financed many Spanish projects:
- Construction of 40% of Spanish highways.
- Expansion of Madrid and Barcelona airports, Seville metro, Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria port.
- Educational programs benefiting 180,000 students.
- The European Health Insurance Card for medical treatment in other EU countries.
- Restoration of the Alhambra’s Court of the Lions, Guadalupe Monastery, and reconstruction of Barcelona’s Liceu Theatre after a fire.
Tema 12: Political Organization of the Territory
Spain: A Parliamentary Monarchy
What is a Parliamentary Monarchy?
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The King is Head of State, but the government is elected by Parliament. The government directs policy and can dissolve Parliament.
The Crown
The Crown, held by the King, represents the State. The King is an arbiter and moderator of institutions. The King cannot make laws, direct the State, or judge politically. His role is to advise, encourage, and warn Parliament, government, and courts. The King is hereditary, holds office for life, is not accountable for political actions, and cannot resign.
Division of Powers
The Spanish Constitution establishes a division of powers: legislative (Parliament), executive (Government), and judicial (judges and courts).
Parliament
Spain’s Parliament consists of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, elected every four years. It develops and adopts laws and controls the government. It elects the Prime Minister, who appoints government members with the King’s approval. Parliament can vote a motion of censure against the Government, forcing its resignation.
The Government
The Spanish Government, led by the President and ministers, sets goals, strategies, and means to achieve them. It operates through ministries and other government bodies.
Judges and Courts
Judges and courts are independent of other government branches.
Political Participation and Parties
Citizens elect members of Congress, Senate, autonomous parliaments, municipal policymakers, and European Parliament members. Political parties facilitate citizen participation in political life. Parties can be statewide or regional.
The State of Autonomous Territorial Organization Models
The State of Autonomy
Two main models of territorial organization exist:
- Centralized: A single center decides state policy in all areas.
- Decentralized: Multiple centers of political decision-making.
Spain was centralized from the 18th century until the 1978 Constitution, except during the Second Republic. In 1978, Spain became a decentralized state with autonomous communities. The Constitution recognizes Spain’s diverse languages, traditions, and cultures. Some communities had autonomy during the Second Republic (1931-1939).
Spain and the Regions
The Constitution defines Spain as a unitary state with autonomous communities, delegating part of state sovereignty. The State retains exclusive power in areas like international relations and the monetary system. Autonomous communities can assume jurisdiction in areas like agriculture and livestock, determining and implementing their own policies. The Constitutional Court resolves conflicts between the State and autonomous communities.
Map of Autonomous Spain
Spain has 17 autonomous regions and two autonomous cities. Each has self-government bodies:
- Parliament: Elected every four years, it dictates laws and controls the President and Government.
- President: Elected by Parliament.
- Government: Sets policies.
- Administration: Implements government policies.
The Territorial Organization of Catalonia
Territorial Organization
The Spanish Constitution and Catalonia’s Statute of Autonomy define its territorial organization:
- Catalonia is divided into four provinces, administrative units grouping municipalities. Provinces serve for state elections, central administration division, and as the highest-ranking local authority cooperating with municipalities. County councils govern provinces.
- Catalonia organizes its territory into municipalities and counties.
Municipalities
Municipalities are the basic territorial units in Catalonia, established during the Middle Ages. Catalonia has 946 municipalities. Municipalities can have one or more population centers and are governed by local administrations. The City Council, consisting of the mayor and councilors, governs municipalities. Councilors are elected by vote, and they elect the mayor. Municipalities receive resources from taxes and fees collected by the State and Autonomous Community, based on population.
Regions
Regions group municipalities and have legal personality and policy-making autonomy. During the Second Republic, Catalonia was proposed to be divided into 38 districts and nine regions. In 1987, the Law on Territorial Organization of Catalonia recovered the county division of 1936. In 1995, Parliament divided Catalonia into six areas: Barcelona metropolitan area, Girona, Camp de Tarragona, Terres de l’Ebre, Ponent, and Central Counties. County Councils govern regions, with members from constituent municipalities. The number of members depends on the population. County Councils have powers in land, health, social services, culture, sport, education, and environment.