Bourbon Reforms: 18th Century Spanish State & Society
The New Bourbon State in Spain
The domestic policy of the Bourbons differed significantly from that of their predecessors. The assertion of state power necessary for these reforms was also intended to bolster Spain’s influence in international affairs.
During the eighteenth century, notable intellectuals emerged to take charge of reform projects. Their names are well known: Feijoo, Mayans, Campomanes, Jovellanos, etc. However, this intellectual movement, though representing a minority of the population, emerged broadly: in ministries and consulates, in academies and universities. These enlightened individuals were present in all professions—ministers, doctors, businessmen, and more. Their guiding political philosophy was shared across Europe: Enlightened Absolutism.
A king, who should be an enlightened philosopher, coined the maxim: “Everything for the people, but without the people.”
The aim was to reform certain aspects of society from the state level, as failure to improve these areas could ultimately undermine the entire societal structure. The patronage of these learned figures was, in large part, a defensive maneuver by the established ruling classes.
With this central objective, the strategy was to encompass three areas:
- 1 – Reform of state organization to act more effectively within society.
- 2 – Reform of economic life to accommodate the needs of a growing population.
- 3 – Reform of the country’s cultural and scientific life to overcome traditional stagnation and align with contemporary European advancements.
The Nueva Planta Decrees & Centralization
The Nueva Planta Decrees were issued by Philip V in response to the support Aragon, Valencia, Mallorca, and Catalonia had given to Archduke Charles of Austria during the War of Succession. During the eighteenth century, centralization was ultimately imposed, justified by the argument that it would modernize the state and enhance its efficiency. Besides centralizing state duties under the king, it aimed to curb the influence of the most conservative sectors of society, especially the nobility and the clergy.
The primary objective of this state reform was political transformation. Ultimately, only the privileges of Navarre and the Basque Country were respected due to their support for the Bourbon cause.
During the century, the old councils progressively lost their influence. The Cortes (parliamentary bodies) were rarely convened, except for occasions such as granting access to the king or for the swearing-in of heirs. Their legislative functions were greatly diminished, and they lacked budgetary authority. Executive power passed directly to the king.
To centralize state administration under the king, Secretariats of State were created, which served as precursors to modern ministries.
Alongside these core governmental institutions, other bodies and organizations were established. These were tasked with implementing economic reform plans and directing the efforts of the most dynamic sectors of the productive classes. Minister Campomanes encouraged the creation of The Economic Societies of Friends of the Country, whose mission was threefold:
- 1 – Firstly, to stay abreast of all developments that could potentially increase production.
- 2 – Secondly, to disseminate enlightened ideas (‘the lights’) and new knowledge.
- 3 – Finally, they served as forums where reports on necessary remedies for the country and on economic policy were presented and debated.
Of all the issues discussed, agriculture was the most debated. Jovellanos authored his significant Report on the Agrarian Law on behalf of the Economic Society of Friends of the Country of Madrid.
The Bourbons also conducted a policy of control over the temporal power of the Church. All these efforts to curtail municipal, ecclesiastical, or noble power, as well as the influence of the traditional institutions within the territories of the Crown of Aragon, shared the overarching goal: to centralize and standardize governance in order to modernize society.