Differences in the understanding of the concept of democracy in Spanish historiography

Abstract

The Constitution of 1931 introduced a political system based on free elections, universal suffrage and a series of Declarations in line with a general, European vision of democracy at that time. This democratic system became known as the Second Republic, or the Republic. It ended when Franco established his dictatorial regime following his coup d’état and the civil war. After Franco’s death, Spain built up a democratic state. Contemporary democracy has been interpreted from the years of the Republic and throughout the 20th century within the frameworks of a diversity of attitudes, aspirations, apprehensions and circumstances that have developed in Spanish society.

Understanding of a concept such as democracy depends on factors that include socio-political language as well as financial, cultural and other circumstances at any given time. Hence, interpretations of democracy have differed considerably in present and past times. However, present-day historical literature, be it history books or historical novels, do not seem to pay much attention to this fact. On the contrary, it appears to treat the concept of democracy according to the habitus (Bourdieu) of each writer. In doing so, the complexity of history is to some extent simplified.

With the help of examples extracted from texts that deal with Spain’s contemporary history, I attempt to show how the concept of democracy gradually developed in Spain during the 20th century. Keeping in mind the differences between ideological groups and movements, I also discuss some historiographical aspects that have been put forth by experts in the area. My main focus is on historiography, i.e., the past as it is recounted and explained to youngsters at school at a given point in time.

Keywords: democracy, understandings, historiographic perspectives