Spain and Spain Government History Essay

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Spain

Government History

Type of Government: Constitutional Monarchy

First leader under this monarchy was Juan Carlos (November 22, 1975)

Constitution 1978

Executive Branch: President of government nominated by the monarch, which is approved by the Congress of Deputies elected by the people

Legislative: 350 seat Congress of Deputies elected by a system of proportional representation and 208 senators.

Judicial: Constitutional Tribunal (group of justices) has jurisdiction over constitutional issues. The Supreme Tribunal rules on issues regarding in certain territories, provinces and regions.

Main Political Parties: Spanish Socialist Workers Party, Popular Party, United Left Coalition

People’s Party (Partido Popular)- Neoliberalism or liberalism favoring free-market capitalism. Conservative Party. Ruled from (1996-2004) until bombings in Madrid, now majority again
-186 seats in parliament
-They hold overall majority in legislature
-Regained office and majority in 2011
-Privatization of state enterprise, cut public expenditures, lowered inflation,

Spanish Socialist Worker’s Party ()-Oldest political party in Spain, Social Democratic Party
-110 seats in Parliament

United Left (Izquierda Unida)- Leftists, green party, left wing socialists
-11 seats in Parliament

Elected leader of Spain (Mariano Rajoy), leader of the People’s Party, (Presidente del Gobierno de España), similar to a Prime Minister

Spain’s Head of State-(King Juan Carlos II)

The Constitution authorized regional autonomous governments. The 17 regions receive power from the central government, they will eventually have full control over their own health care and education

Economy

Average Household Income- ($22,047)

Population- 46.1 million

Top Individual Income Tax- 52%

Average income Tax-31.6%

Annual Growth rate of 2.5%

Natural Products- Grains, vegetables, citrus/deciduous fruits, wine, olives, sunflowers, livestock

Annual Exports- $137.8 billion

Annual Imports- $184.1 billion

No official religion (1978 constitution disestablishes the Roman Catholic Church)

90% of population is catholic

Current 26.7% Unemployment rate

Causes of Unemployment:
-structural issues in the labor market
-unreformed benefits system
-lack of government investment in important areas
-6 million people that cannot find jobs
-Spain increased their trade deficit to a record high in 2007 because of the housing boom and great economy(more imports than exports), through the economic boom of the early 2000’s
-Instead of investing in domestic industries and domestic jobs, Spain began to import more goods than export creating jobs elsewhere
-jobs have gone abroad
-Great employee benefits in Spain (maybe too good), 60% of employees have permanent employee contracts (legal restrictions to being fired, high severance pay, safe work environment), workers have little incentive to excel in their careers or to improve work, all they have to do is get by and be average.
-Those who lose jobs are payed 80% of their final salary over the next 2 years
-Companies become inefficient and businesses become cautious and reluctant to hire

Weak educational system
26.5% of children drop out of highschool early -Spain did not capitalize on economic boom by investing in education

Spanish National Debt ($623,724,000,000)
-You could wrap $1 bills round the earth 3,282 times with this debt amount

State Symbols
Animal: Bull
Bird: Short-Toed Eagle
Flower: Red Carnation
Motto: “Plus Ultra” (further beyond)
National Anthem: La March Real (The Royal March)

Famous Spaniards- Christopher Columbus
-Travels to the new world and the Bahamas

Spanish Empire founded in the 15th century
-King of Aragon (Ferdinand) and Isabella marry (Catholic monarchs), unifying 2 kingdoms
-Isabella funds the trip of Christopher Columbus, he is unsuccessful

16th century (golden era)
-Colonization, rebellion,
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