This book analyses the main historical turning points in the Spanish economy and the related challenges it faced. It focuses on six turning points that changed the direction of the Spanish economy, and identifies the economic, social or political origin of these watersheds. It also compares the Spanish trajectory with the international one, exploring the macroeconomic context in which these turning points happened, as well as the external and internal constraints on domestic political choices for a small country like Spain. The book focuses on how Spain faced up to each turning point, the reforms that were implemented, the differences between the Spanish response and that of other countries, the results of the policies enacted and what problems were not tackled. This is an interesting and unique perspective as most of the turning points in economic history are generally studies from the viewpoint of core countries such as the UK, US or Germany. The ultimate objective is to learn useful lessons from Spanish economic history in order to better face future turning points.

Autorentext

Concha Betrán is a Professor in the Economic Analysis Department at the University of Valencia, Spain. Her research interests are in economic history and different aspects related to industrialization (productivity and industrial location), globalization (inequality, trade) and financial crises.

Maria A Pons is Associate Professor in the Economic Analysis Department at the University of Valencia, Spain. Her area of specialization is economic history, with special emphasis on monetary and banking history, financial crises and globalisation.

Inhalt
Chapter 1. IntroductionChapter 2. 1808: The Napoleonic Wars and the Loss of the American ColoniesChapter 3. 1898: The Fin de siècle crisisChapter 4. 1936: Frustrated hopes: the Great Depression, the Second Republic, and the Civil WarChapter 5. 1959: The Stabilization Plan and the End of AutarkyChapter 6. 1977: Hopes fulfilled: building democracy in turbulent economic timesChapter 7. 2008: Spain in the Eye of the Perfect Storm.Chapter 8. Epilogue