Tertiary Sector in Spain: Activities and Organization
The Tertiary Sector
People have needs to be covered, such as leisure, safety, and health. The tertiary sector provides these services.
The Tertiary Sector Today
Over the past years, there has been a remarkable growth of the tertiary sector, because there are a greater number of employees in this sector. The weight of the tertiary sector in a country’s economy is considered an indicator of its economic and social development. In many countries, increased needs for services by the people have led to this growth.
Companies and tertiary activities are unevenly distributed, depending on:
- The level of development of countries: Developed countries have an outsourced economy; thus, the weight of the tertiary sector is emerging in developing countries.
- The territorial distribution and population density: Services tend to concentrate in urban areas.
- The degree of wealth: Purchasing power gives people easier access to tertiary activities.
Classification of Activities
- Services to the People: These activities are designed to meet the needs of people. These services address basic needs and secondary social services. The State can guarantee them; therefore, they are public. On the other hand, consumer services are private.
- Company Services: These are activities that support the development of agricultural and industrial enterprises. Some of these services include highly specialized areas.
- Distribution Services: These consist of communication and transportation services that enable products, information, and people to move around and reach all parts of the globe.
Political Organization of Spain
Since 1978, Spain has had a constitution that regulates the organization of the Spanish state as a social, democratic, and constitutional state.
- Democratic State: Based on popular sovereignty, the exercise of power is subject to the will of the Spanish people, expressed in the polls. Political pluralism is derived from the free activity of political parties and the right to territorial autonomy.
- Welfare State: The existence of legitimate unions and advocacy organizations, emerging from different social and economic interests, provides the most disadvantaged citizens with benefits and services.
- Rule of Law: Subject to citizens and public authorities, as specified in the Constitution and other laws.
The constitution guarantees the rights, freedoms, and duties of citizens, defines the organization of the state, and provides for the separation of powers and the organs that exercise them. The policy of the Spanish government is parliamentary, which means that the King is the Head of State. The monarch’s position is not elected; it is assumed by heritage and has a vital exercise. His powers are very limited, and his main function is to represent the State. Parliament makes policy decisions and initiatives, approves and studies laws, chooses and dismisses the Prime Minister, and controls the government’s activity.
Institutions
Institutions reflect the separation of powers:
- The Courts: Represent the legislative power. They are formed by the Senate and the Congress of Deputies and are responsible for creating laws and exercising government control.
- The Government: Represents the executive power. It consists of the President, elected by the Congress of Deputies, and ministers appointed by the President. It is responsible for enforcing approved laws.
- The Courts: Represent the judicial power. Judges make up their bodies.