Spain Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Spain - Research Paper Example Spain is re-known as the land of flamenco and bullfights, blazing heat and dusty landscape churches and castles. Moreover, it is also home to a rich cultural heritage which has been influenced by many people who have conquered Spain over thousands of years ((Lior, and Tara 4) (Faiella 7). The evidence of Spanish culture is visible everywhere, in the ancient ruins and castles that dot the landscape; in the art, music and folk dances enjoyed in different regions; in the festivals, called fiestas celebrated throughout the year and in the languages spoken around the country (Lior, and Tara 4). Undoubtedly, Spain belongs to a select group of developed western democracies- nevertheless, little over three decades ago- Spain was a comparatively shy nation mostly isolated from its European neighbors and ruled by dictatorship- even more than other countries cannot be appreciated without some understanding of its history (Christopher, Bill, and Begona 1). One explanation for the prevalent interest in Spain’s political culture is the remarkably peaceful as well as successful political transition since 1975. From a dictatorial political structure to a contemporary liberal democratic system, a succession of deep changes which have far reaching cultural consequences. Up to 1975, Spain was an abnormality in Europe, the longest as well as last surviving remnant of the military autocracies of the 1930’s. A bare seven years afterward, Spain not only held free elections, parliamentary government and a ratified democratic constitution, nevertheless had established a center left social democrat regime. Spain accomplished this by a blend of modernization as well adaptation of existing establishments as well as creative ideologies such as the substitution of unyielding unitary democratic structure of the Franco autocracy with a quasi-federal constitution producing a structure of autonomous communities which acknowledge the political , economic, as well as cultural diversity of