Constitutional transition to democracy in Spain

In this article the author analyses formation of the country's constitutional legislation system. In the 20th century Spain experienced three different periods: the years of the Second Republic in 1931-1939, the Franco's dictatorship of 1939-1975 and the period of transition to democracy or, as it is called ‘constitutional transit' of 1975-1980, when the basic laws and regulations of democratic Spain were adopted. Each of these periods corresponded with fundamentally different lawmaking processes, based on different legal judicial norms that were strongly influenced by the peculiarities of the political situation in the country. This article examines the background of the creation of Spanish constitutions in a particular historical period, the domestic and international situation and its influence on the peculiarities of lawmaking process. The author studies the history of the constitutional documents' adoption, considers and examines their structure and content in a highly detailed way. The author scrutinizes not only the logic, but also the sequence and reasons for the adoption of all Spanish constitutional and legal acts, as well as their meaning and influence on the legal system of the state. The Fundamental Laws of Frankish Spain, as well as the Spanish Constitution of 1978, the Political Reform Act, the rulings of the Spanish Constitutional Court and other acts, the peculiarities of the transition process to democracy and the legal break with the Frankish epoch and its system of lawmaking are studied in the article. It is worth noting that, at a time when the exist opinions that the Spanish Constitution is outdated and needs reforming, the conclusion about its fundamental role for the peaceful transition to a new Spain at the end of the 20th century and its legal relevance is the issue of utmost importance.

SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL STATUS OF THE ADVISORY COUNCIL IN SPAIN

В данной статье автор поднимает проблему взаимодействия гражданского общества и государства. Одной из форм такого взаимодействия выступает деятельность консультативных (общественных) советов (палат). В связи с этим, в качестве примера проанализирован правовой статус Экономического и социального совета Испании. Рассмотрены причины его появления и история становления. Опираясь на текст Конституции Испании и Органического закона «Об учреждении Экономического и социального Совета» от 17 июня 1991 г., автор выделяет типичные и особые черты данного учреждения, а также раскрывает правовой статус его членов. In this article, the author raises the problem of interaction between civil society and the state. One of the forms of such interaction is the activity of advisory (public) councils (chambers). In this regard, the legal status of the Economic and Social Council of Spain is analyzed as an example. The reasons for its appearance and the history of its formation are considered. Based on the text of the Spanish Constitution and the Organic Law «On the Establishment of the Economic and Social Council» of June 17, 1991, the author

Administrative Procedure and Judicial Review in Spain

This chapter discusses administrative procedure and judicial review in Spain. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 (CE) devotes two central provisions to judicial review of administrative action. Article 106(1) CE, located in Part IV on government and administration, establishes that 'The Courts control the power to issue regulations and to ensure that the rule of law prevails in administrative action, as well as to ensure that the latter is subordinated to the ends which justify it'. On the other hand, Article 24(1) CE enshrines the fundamental right to effective judicial protection, which also includes protection against administrative action: 'Every person has the right to obtain the effective protection of the judges and the courts in the exercise of his or her legitimate rights and interests, and in no case may he go undefended'. Judicial review is usually performed by specific courts fully integrated into the judiciary, the so-called jurisdicción contencioso-administrativa (administrative jurisdiction), competent to review administrative action subject to Spanish administrative law.

De la Seguridad Social para prevenir el riesgo de pobreza y exclusión social: su especial consideración a personas con discapacidad

The health emergency has highlighted the need to articulate cross-cutting social measures so that both the most vulnerable people and productive sectors are not left behind, with the risk of timeliness and increased poverty appreciated in the future if not acted immediately. Within this context, a new minimum income called Minimum Vital Income was born, in an accelerated but necessary way, whose objective is to correct the high levels of inequality, un subsidized unemployment and extreme poverty in Spain, levels that, until now, have not been fully corrected with the regional models of minimum income that have also been aggravated by the Covid-19 health crisis. This new non-contributory benefit embodies an objective and fundamental advance in the model of the Social State that the Spanish Constitution proclaims in article 1.1. We are facing a new social right of a subjective nature of Spanish citizens and people legally resident in Spain, linked to the state of need, whose objective is to prevent the risk of poverty and social exclusion. This study analyses the minimum living income with special attention in the collective with disabilities.

Gender-separate education in Spain: reflections on educational rights and freedoms from a constitutional and human-rights perspective

Gender-separate education, understood as a pedagogical model that provides separate schooling for boys and girls, has been subject to legal and public scrutiny for the past thirty years. Nonetheless, it has not been until 2018 that this educational option was put into the spotlight, especially regarding its constitutionality and compatibility with arts. 1.1, 9.2 and 14 of the Spanish Constitution, which constitute a manifestation of the principles of equality and non-discrimination, while at the same time trying to balance it with art. 27 of said constitutional text, with respect to the right to education and freedom to choose and create educational centers. Against this backdrop, the present paper reviews the constitutional state of play and makes further reflections from a rights-based perspective and taking into account the cultural pluralism that characterizes contemporary societies.

A Silver-Plated Youth (1792–1815)

The physical description of the Guanajuato of Alamán’s youth continues in this chapter. His early childhood education is discussed, and an early residence with his widowed mother in Mexico City. Scarcely had he returned to his native city when the independence movement broke out in September 1810. His relationship with the local power structure in Guanajuato is described, and his early acquaintance with Father Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. The fall of Guanajuato to Hidalgo’s insurgents in late September 1810, Alamán’s own account of his brush with death at the hands of the insurgents, and the question of whether he was traumatized by this experience are narrated. His very negative impression of the Mexico City elections under the briefly revived Spanish Constitution of 1812 closes the chapter.

Encuesta sobre nación y supranacionalidad

En esta encuesta un grupo de profesores de Derecho Constitucional contestan un conjunto de preguntas sobre el concepto de nación, el papel que ha desempeñado tal concepto en el desarrollo histórico del constitucionalismo y en el desarrollo de los movimientos nacionalistas, y la relación actual que mantiene con la idea de constitución; sobre el significado del término «nación» en la constitución española, y el del término «nacionalidades»; y, finalmente, sobre la idea de supranacionalidad que define el proceso de integración europea y su relación con el concepto de nación.In this academic survey a group of Constitutional Law Professors answer some questions about the concept of nation, its role in the historical evolution of constitutionalism and of nationalist movements, and its relation nowadays with the idea of constitution; about the meaning of the term «nation» in the Spanish constitution and of the term «nationalities»; and finally about the idea of supranationality that defines the European integration process and its relationship with the concept of nation.

Comparison between the Polish-Lithuanian Constitution of 3 May 1791 and the Spanish Constitution of 19 March 1812

<p>The purpose of this article was to make a brief comparative analysis between the Spanish Constitution of 1812 and the Polish-Lithuanian Constitution of 1791. With this intention, the most characteristic features of each constitutional text were set out, and both the historical and social context prior to its promulgation and the circumstances that led to the drafting of both legal acts were analyzed. The similarities and contrasts of the political models established with both constitutions were observed, as well as the rights and freedoms recognized. Reference was also made to the founding fathers of the Constitutions and the ideological context that influenced them. Finally, the author mentioned the fate of both constitutions that were only in force for a short period of time. The article aimed to present these two legal acts that were a milestone in the constitutional and political history of each nation.</p>

Algunos antecedentes del liberalismo constitucional en España: El pensamiento político de la segunda escolástica

The name «School of Salamanca» is refered to a group of theologians and Natural Law philosophers who taught in the University of Salamanca, following the inspiration of the great tomist Francisco de Vitoria. They developed some original theories on Political Thought, like the pactum translationis (or the delegated power to the kings from the civil society) and the right of resistance to tyranny. Theories that will revive at the times of the French invasion of Spain (1808-1812). Key words: Scholastics, liberalism, School of Salamanca, 1812 Spanish Constitution. JEL codes: B11. Resumen: Tanto en lo referente a la teoría del contrato social, como a los fundamentos «democráticos» de la autoridad civil, las universidades españolas llevaban varios siglos enseñando unas doctrinas que luego pusieron de moda los teóricos del liberalismo (desde Locke hasta Rousseau); pero que, como sostendremos a continuación, ya habían sido expuestas desde la época de Vitoria y —sobre todo— Suárez, hasta las postrimerías del siglo XVIII. Y que resumidamente podemos expresar así: según las teorías escolásticas del pactum translationis, la autoridad civil recae directamente en el pueblo, quien la delega en el soberano. Al faltar éste, ese poder vuelve a la sociedad; que justamente sería la circunstancia histórica de 1808 con la invasión napoleónica de España y el surgimiento de unas Juntas a ambos lados del Atlántico, como garantes de la legitimidad gubernativa. Palabras clave: Escolástica, liberalismo, Escuela de Salamanca, Cortes de Cádiz. Códigos JEL: B11.