Spain’s Political System and Territorial Organization
1.1. Spain: A Parliamentary Monarchy
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy. The King is the Head of State. The government directs state policy and can dissolve parliament.
1.2. The Crown
In this parliamentary monarchy, the King holds the crown, representing the State. The King is the arbiter and moderator of institutions. The King cannot make laws, direct political policy, or function as a judge. He advises, encourages, and warns the Parliament, government, and courts of justice. The King’s office is hereditary and for life; he cannot resign.
1.3. Separation of Powers
One of the fundamental principles of Spain’s democracy, established by the Spanish Constitution, is the separation of powers. In Spain, the legislative function (making laws) belongs to the Parliament; the executive (enforcement), to the Government; and the judicial function (applying laws and ensuring justice), to judges and courts of justice.
1.4. The Parliament
The Parliament, called the Cortes Generales in Spain, consists of two chambers: the House of Representatives and the Senate, elected by citizens every four years. The Parliament has two fundamental roles: legislative (creating laws) and controlling the government. Parliament elects the President and, upon the President’s proposal, the government members, who are then appointed by the King. Parliament can vote a motion of censure on the Government and its President, forcing their resignation.
1.5. The Government
The Spanish Government comprises the President and ministers. The government sets objectives in areas like agriculture, industry, health, and education, and decides strategies to achieve these goals. These strategies are implemented through ministries and other administrative bodies.
1.6. Courts of Justice
Judges and courts of justice apply the laws and are independent of other state powers.
1.7. Political Participation and Parties
Citizens in Spain elect members of the Congress and Senate, regional councilors, and members of the European Parliament. Political parties are the primary channels for citizen participation in political life. Spain has many national parties (e.g., PSOE, PP) and regional parties (e.g., CiU, ERC, PNV, BNG, PA).
2.1. Models of Territorial Organization
Historically, there have been two main models of territorial state power: Centralist, with a single center of decision-making for all state activities, and Decentralized, with multiple centers of political decision. The centralist model prevailed in Spain until the 1978 Constitution, except during the Second Republic. Since 1978, Spain has been an Autonomous State, with political decentralization across different regions. The Constitution recognizes regions with distinct languages, traditions, and cultures, such as Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Galicia, which had autonomy during the Second Republic (1931-1939).
2.2. The Spanish State and Autonomous Communities
The Constitution defines Spain as a unitary state, not a centralist one, recognizing the autonomy of each community and delegating aspects of state sovereignty. To ensure unity, the Constitution reserves certain policy decisions for the state. Regions assume responsibilities in other areas through their Statutes of Autonomy. Autonomous communities can set their own policies and implement them through their administration. The Constitutional Court resolves disputes between the state and autonomous communities regarding the distribution of powers.
2.3. Map of Autonomous Regions
Spain has seventeen autonomous regions and two autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla. Each region has its own institutions: Parliament, elected every four years, dictates regional laws and controls the President and government; President, elected by Parliament; Government, setting policy; and Administration, implementing government policy.
3. Catalan Autonomy Statute
The Statute of Autonomy defines Catalonia’s political institutions, powers, and relations with the Spanish State.
3.1. The 1932 Statute of Autonomy
During the Second Spanish Republic, the 1932 Statute of Autonomy reflected Catalonia’s aspirations for self-government. It was suspended during Franco’s dictatorship.
3.2. The 1979 and 2006 Statutes
In 1971, the Assembly of Catalonia called for recognition of the Catalan people and their right to choose their political future. During the democratic transition in the 1970s, the 1979 Statute of Autonomy of Andalusia set a model for self-government. In 2003, a reform of the Statute was promoted to adapt to Catalonia’s current needs. A new Statute was approved in a 2006 referendum.
3.3. Institutions of Self-Government: The Generalitat
The Generalitat includes: Parliament, with 135 members, legislates, approves budgets, and monitors government activities; President, elected by Parliament, represents the Spanish State in Catalonia and heads the Executive Council; Executive Council, with executive and administrative functions; and advisory bodies like the Audit Office and the Ombudsman.
3.4. Powers of the Generalitat of Catalonia
The Statute of Autonomy grants the Generalitat exclusive competence in several areas. It is responsible for applying international conventions and can exercise jurisdiction through agreements with other communities. Revenue comes from state transfers and its own taxes and fees.
4.1. Territorial Organization of Catalonia
Catalonia is divided into four provinces (Barcelona, Tarragona, Lleida, and Girona), which are administrative units of the Spanish territory. Provinces have three functions: state elections, territorial division for central administration, and cooperation with municipalities. Provincial governments are managed by Provincial Councils. The 2006 Statute allows Catalonia to organize municipalities into comarques and vegueries.
4.2. Municipalities
Municipalities are the basic territorial units in Catalonia. There are 946 municipalities, each governed by a local or municipal administration. The municipal administration is exercised by the City Council, consisting of the mayor and councilors, who are democratically elected. Municipalities obtain resources through taxes, fees, and transfers from the state and autonomous community.
4.3. Comarques
Comarques are local territorial entities composed of municipalities, with legal personality and autonomy. In 1892, the Bases de Manresa proposed dividing Catalonia into comarques. The 1987 Law on Territorial Organization reinstated the regional division of 1936. Three new comarques were created in 1988 (Pla de l’Estany, Pla d’Urgell, Alta Ribagorça). In 1995, a Regional Plan divided Catalonia into six territorial areas. Comarcal Councils administer the comarques, with members from each municipality.
5.1. Transformation of Spanish Society
Catalonia exemplifies a post-industrial society with a dominant service sector and a skilled workforce. There has been a shift from rural to urban and metropolitan areas, leading to cultural changes in work, lifestyle, and family structures.
5.2. Changes in Family Structure
The traditional extended family has been replaced by the nuclear family. Other models, such as single-parent families and single-person households, have become common. Increased migration has led to more marriages between people of different nationalities. Spain legally recognizes same-sex marriage.
5.3. Women’s Incorporation into the Paid Labor Force
Women have traditionally performed unpaid domestic tasks. In recent decades, there has been a mass incorporation of women into the labor market. However, women often face lower wages and employment opportunities than men, despite laws promoting gender equality.
5.4. A High Level of Welfare
Spain is among the world’s advanced countries, with high levels of welfare related to economic growth, quality of life, and healthcare. Indicators include: Education: compulsory and free from ages 3 to 16, with increased university enrollment; Health: free public healthcare for all citizens and residents; Life Expectancy: among the highest globally. However, increased income has led to higher consumption levels, including housing and cars.