This course focuses on the Spanish economy today and on its development in the recent past. The aim is to provide students with the information needed to understand the Spanish economy, which is analyzed in class by discussing articles from the press. The course is organized in two terms. The first term will introduce the factors that define the Spanish economy in general (its main areas of activity, its weaknesses, the evolution of consumption, etc) and briefly review the economic policies implemented by the governments of the Franco era. The second term centers on the last 25 years of democracy in Spain, placing particular emphasis on aspects such as tax policy and the financing of the Autonomous Communities that remain at the forefront of economic debate.

Introduction:

• The strong points and weak points of the Spanish economy.
• The media
• Banks and savings banks.
• Management and trade unions.

The Franco Régime (1939-1975):

• Spain’s backwardness
• Autarchy
• The “economic miracle” of the sixties.

Reading List

GARCÍA DELGADO, J.L. (dir.) (1993), España, economía, (6ª edición), Madrid, Espasa Calpe.
NADAL, J. - CARRERAS, A. - SUDRIA, C., (1987), La economía española en el siglo XX. Una perspectiva histórica, Barcelona, Ariel.
TAMAMES, R. - RUEDA, A., (1998), Introducción a la economía española, (23ª edición), Madrid, Alianza Editorial.

Assessment

A written exam will be given at the end of the term to test students’ understanding of the course material.