Key Concepts in Modern History and Spanish Governance

Modern Geopolitics and Failed States

T 14 ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) Failed States: These are states that have failed to settle and live in a climate of civil war and continuing insecurity. Clash of Civilizations: In the twenty-first century, world conflicts are not developed between nation-states, as in the preceding two centuries, but between large areas that share a similar cultural tradition. Ethnic Cleansing: Inhabitants considered uncomfortable due to their religion or language were expelled from regions under dispute in order to achieve greater homogeneity of the population, rather than building multiethnic states to guarantee the rights of all citizens.

The Velvet Revolution and Regional Transitions

The transition from communist regimes to others, whether democratic or authoritarian, was performed very differently in different countries. In some, such as Czechoslovakia, it was a very peaceful and bloodless process that has been called the Velvet Revolution. In other places, like Romania, the dictator Ceausescu was overthrown and executed later. However, the most dramatic case was that of Yugoslavia, which resulted in splitting through very bloody wars and genocides, such as that perpetrated by Serb militias in Srebrenica in 1995.

Spanish History: Arbitristas and the Audiencia

T 16 Arbitristas: These thinkers emerged in seventeenth-century Spain, proposing various types of policies or means to solve the problems of the Spanish economy. Audiencia de Asturias: After the War of Succession (1702–1713) ended the legal complexity of Asturias, the Audiencia de Asturias was established in 1719. Consequently, municipalities lost their autonomy, despite the aspirations defended by the new king, Philip V.

The Illustrated Asturians and Reformist Ideology

For their contribution to the central government, notable figures include:

• Jose Campillo y Cossio (1693–1743): Published treatises on economics and public administration.
• Feijoo (1676–1764): Stands out for his criticism of various prejudices of traditional culture.
• Campomanes (1723–1802): Minister of Charles III who carried out various projects in the fields of economy, culture, and education.
• Jovellanos (1744–1811): Minister of Charles IV who always maintained a reformist ideology and faith in progress.

Universal Suffrage: During the democratic period (1868–1874), the popular classes had a massive turnout for the first time in elections to the Constituent Cortes of 1869, which were the first held by universal suffrage.