Modern Spanish

Spain has a parliamentary, multiparty system of government that encourages ideological debate more than does the American two-party system, which tends toward compromise in the middle. From 1982-1996, the Socialists ruled and since then the Popular Party has held power. Although a handful of smaller parties can sometimes make or unmake governments.

Separatism poses the greatest threat to the unity of the Spanish state. In all three of the minority language regions the Basque Country, Catalonia and Galicia strong nationalists group exist. Separatism is especially virulent in the Basque area, although it enjoys more than any other region in Europe. The Basque independence movement ETA has killed some eight hundred people, injured thousands and caused millions of dollars in damages over the last forty years. The great majority of Basques and Spaniards are opposed to this brutal organization, which kills innocent bystanders as well as chosen enemies. 

Spaniards have taken to political freedom like ducks have to water, with the exception of a few terrorists. Thousands of everyday decisions made by the fiat are now shared by groups of voters, workers and students. On the other hand, most Spaniards remain pessimistic about politics at home and abroad. Criticizing the government is a national pastime. Now that the country belongs to the EU, a breed of critic has emerged, the “Euro skeptic.” Some observers have joked that Spaniards would complain even if they lived in paradise. 

The rain in Spain is mostly European nowadays. In 1986 the country joined the European Economic Community, in 1999 the European Monetary Union. The Peseta is the national currency circulated jointly with the euro between 1999 and 2002. The Peseta will cease to be a legal tender and the euro will become the only official currency in Spain and the entire EEC. Maybe the Spaniards will now consider themselves to be true members of the continent; perhaps the French will no longer claim that Africa begins beyond the Pyrenees. 

Spain belongs to the Europe of regions. As in many neighboring countries, it was split apart by separatism at the very time it was entering the EU. The difference today is that the rope comes from the Brussels, not Madrid, and it is being tugged by the whole weight of the EU and NATO, the most powerful economic and military blocs in the world.

Spain is still the wildest country in Europe, but we cannot truly speak of wilderness as we do in North or South America. Spain is a paradise for hikers, trekkers, cyclists, birdwatchers and everyone who enjoys the outdoor life. We all know that it is the same when we say the Peninsula formed an historical bridge between the two continents.

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