Joseph Harrison

Perhaps more than any other European country, Spain has undergone a remarkable transformation in the post-war period. To the surprise of many, it has succeeded in making the leap from a predominantly agricultural and politically repressed country, to a modern European democracy with a diversified economy containing important manufacturing and service sectors. Yet, despite the fact that at the beginning of the twenty-first century Spain is the world's eighth largest economy, old stereotypes that see the Iberian nation as an inflexible, unchanging society, persist. As such, scholars will welcome this new study which challenges the picaresque and outdated notions of Spanish economic development, replacing them with a picture of rapid and profound modernization. Building upon the recent work of historians and economists, the authors provide a thoughtful and compelling overview of the subject that clearly elucidates both the positive and negative aspects of modern Spanish development. Thus, as well as charting the undoubted successes achieved, persistent problems - most notably high unemployment - are also explored. Written in a straightforward and engaging manner, this book engages with research from a wide variety of disciplines, and will be of interest to anyone with a specific interest in modern Spain, or a wider interest in economic development within the framework of the European Union.

This book presents a concise survey of the Spanish economy from the end of the Civil War of 1936–9 to the present. In it the author analyses the transformation of Spain from a backward agrarian economy - committed by Franco and the country's military rulers to the impossible quest of self-sufficiency - to a modern, rapidly growing, outwardly orientated economy. By analysing demographic developments, changes in agriculture, industrial growth, changes to the financial system and the development of foreign trade, the author shows how Spain has reached a position where it is fully integrated into the international economy and, since January 1986, has been an active member of the European Community. This is a book both for students of twentieth century economic history, and for their teachers.

This book presents a concise survey of the Spanish economy from the end of the Civil War of 1936–39 to the present. In it the author analyses the transformation of Spain from a backward agrarian economy - committed by Franco and the country’s military rulers to the impossible quest of self-sufficiency - to a modern, rapidly growing, outwardly orientated economy. By analysing demographic developments, changes in agriculture, industrial growth, changes to the financial system and the development of foreign trade, the author shows how Spain has reached a position where it is fully integrated into the international economy and, since January 1986, has been an active member of the European Community. This is a book both for students of twentieth century economic history, and for their teachers.