UNIT 7 SOCIAL SCIENCE: SPAIN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY

SPAIN A DEMOCRATIC COUNTRY

In 1978, Spanish government representatives wrote a document where they recognized the principles of freedom, justice, equality and respect for diversity. This document became the basis for the most important law in Spain, the Constitution. Later that same year, it was approved by the Spanish citizens.

The Constitution of 1978 establishes that Spain is a democratic country whose national sovereignty resides with the Spanish people. It also establishes that Spain is a parliamentary monarchy.

Our Constitution establishes:

• The rights and duties of all Spanish citizens. Education and health care are rights. Paying taxes and obeying the law are obligations. 
• The functions of the nation’s institutions.
• The territorial organization of Spain in autonomous communities and cities.

THE TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION OF SPAIN

The Constitution of 1978 establishes that Spanish territory is organized into autonomous communities and cities, provinces, and municipalities

MUNICIPALITIES

A municipality is the smallest territorial and administrative division. In Spain, there are over 8,000 municipalities. Each municipality is governed by a town hall, which consists of a mayor and local councillors. 

All municipalities provide a range of services to their citizens, such as public lighting, water supply and rubbish collection.

PROVINCES

A province is made up of the municipalities located in its territory. There are 50 provinces in Spain. Most provinces have their own government, called a Provincial Council, which consists of a president and provincial deputies.

The Provincial Council is responsible for coordinating the public services of all the municipalities in a province.

AUTONOMUS COMMUNITIES

Each autonomous community has a Statute of Autonomy. This law includes its institutions, like the Autonomous Parliament and Government, and the areas it can make decisions in, like education, health care, etc.

The Statute of Autonomy also includes the borders of the autonomous community territory, its capital, its official language(s), its flag, etc.

Spain is organized into 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities, Ceuta and Melilla. The autonomous communities were established between 1979, when the Statutes of Autonomy for Catalonia and the Basque Country were approved, and 1995, when Ceuta and Melilla were declared autonomous cities.

THE INSTITUTIONS OF SPAIN

THE SEPARATION OF POWER

The Spanish Constitution establishes the separation of powers. This division includes the following branches of government: 

• The legislative branch, which approves laws and the government budget. It consists of the Parliament.
• The executive branch, which makes political and economic decisions for the country. It consists of the Government.
• The judicial branch, which makes sure everyone obeys the law and penalizes anybody who does not obey the law. It is represented by judges and courts.

OTHER NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS

The Constitution also establishes other important national institutions to support democracy in Spain.

• The Constitutional Court. This institution makes sure that laws respect the Constitution. It is made up of twelve members who specialize in law, known as Magistrates of the Constitutional Court.
• The ombudsman. This institution protects the rights of citizens. People can complain to the ombudsman if they think their rights have been violated.