Caciquismo and Oligarchy in Restoration Extremadura

The system was falsely democratic under the Canovist system, even after the introduction of universal suffrage in 1890. Furthermore, in the case of Extremadura, a predominantly rural zone, the cacique system and oligarchy reached their highest levels of efficiency.

Early Challenges: Republicanism

However, in its early years, the Canovist model had to deal with the lingering influence of some sectors of republicanism, which sought to subvert the state structure through uprisings. This was the case with the failed republican military uprising in Bangkok in 1883. Once these events, which had so little real impact, occurred, the system continued its political maturation.

Universal Suffrage and its Limited Impact

In 1890, as shown by the degree of consolidation, universal male suffrage was admitted. The extension of suffrage, which might have provided opportunities for participation by more modest individuals in a society as maladjusted as Extremadura, never had a significant impact on endangering the ancestral relations of political, economic, and social domination prevailing in the region. This was because the system's method of caciquismo guaranteed the survival and perpetuation of these situations. The filters imposed by the system prevented potentially dynamic political forces from entering the political machinery.

The Role of the Oligarchy and Caciques

With parties formed by small groups of notable individuals, holding significant influence in the Extremadura region and defending identical interests (For example, in the elections of 1896, the conservative Conde de Cáceres Torrearias was elected deputy, and in the next election, the liberal Conde de Campo Giro won; both were among the province's largest landowners). Alongside these figures from the wealthy aristocracy were farmers and political professionals (mostly lawyers). Therefore, a significant part of the agrarian oligarchy in Extremadura opted for a political vocation.

Below these were the elected local caciques, scattered across the populations, who appealed for votes in elections under the turno system, thanks to their socio-economic prominence and eventually using all kinds of maneuvers.

Political Demobilization

On the other hand, the system fostered intense political demobilization in the region, evidenced by high abstention levels but also by fidelity to power. In Extremadura during the Restoration, as in many other regions, the party that summoned always won, with strict respect for