Spanish Elites From the Late 19th Century to the Present

Abstract

The formation of the elites in Spain has been strongly influenced by the prolonged and late process of modernization of the country. The objective of the article is to analyze the peculiarities of the evolution of the elite system in Spain, resulting from a late modernization process marked by political, economic, and cultural conflicts. Thus, it explores the sociological determinants that have shaped the Spanish elites through a historical-sociological synthesis based on secondary sources. To this end, the article analyzes the status of Spanish elites across three distinct epochs: from the late 19th century to the Spanish Civil War, during General Franco's dictatorship, and from the democratic transition to the present day. Each period is scrutinized to discern the composition and structure of these elites, categorized into political, economic, and cultural spheres. Additionally, the interplay and conflicts between these elite categories and broader society are delineated. Special consideration is given to the position of women as a marginalized group within the elites.