The Catholic Monarchs: Forging the Spanish State

Posted by on Nov 30, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

The Creation of the Modern State: Catholic Monarchs

The Catholic Monarchs (Reyes Católicos) established the first example of an authoritarian monarchy in the Hispanic kingdoms. They created organs of government that depended directly on the Crown and actively sought to subdue the power of the nobility and the clergy.

Dynastic Union of Castile and Aragon

The marriage of Isabella I of Castile and Ferdinand II of Aragon, heirs to the two most important crowns of the Iberian Peninsula, led to the formation

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Contemporary Challenges in European Union Governance and Politics

Posted by on Nov 26, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

EU Integration and Regional Autonomy Movements

Europe has witnessed two opposing developments: the deepening of EU integration and the simultaneous rise in regional autonomy movements within member states. At first glance, these trends may appear contradictory. However, both reflect broader transformations in governance and identity in response to globalization, economic restructuring, and the shifting role of the nation-state.

Thesis: EU integration and regional autonomy are not opposing forces but

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Spanish Foreign Policy Implementation and US Bilateral Relations

Posted by on Oct 28, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

Actors in Spanish Foreign Policy Enforcement

Spanish foreign policy (FP) is shaped and implemented by a broad set of actors operating within a legal and institutional framework that requires coordination and loyalty. The key actors include:

  • The Prime Minister: Leads the overall policy direction.
  • The Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA): Manages day-to-day execution and interministerial coordination.
  • The Undersecretary (within the MFA): Manages internal operations and appoints diplomats.
  • General Directorates:
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The Historical Development of European Integration and Treaties

Posted by on Oct 7, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

Historical Context of 20th Century Europe

Europe was politically fragmented, despite historical attempts at unity via conquest (Charlemagne, Napoleon, Hitler). Enlightenment and liberal thinkers proposed peaceful integration:

  • William Penn (1693): Early vision of a European Parliament.
  • Saint-Simon (1814): Advocated for a European monarch and parliament to maintain peace.

World War I (1914–1918)

This global conflict pitted the Allies against the Central Powers. It was triggered by nationalism, imperial

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Pivotal Dates in US History and European Integration (1648–2022)

Posted by on Oct 4, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

Foundations of Modern Governance (1648–1830)

  1. 1648: Peace of Westphalia.
  2. 1776, July 4: Declaration of Independence.
  3. 1777: Articles of Confederation.
  4. 1783: Treaty of Versailles (ending the American Revolutionary War).
  5. 1786: Shays’ Rebellion.
  6. 1787:
    • June: Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
    • July: Northwest Ordinance.
    • September: Approval of the U.S. Federal Constitution.
  7. 1788: Ratification of the U.S. Federal Constitution.
  8. 1789: George Washington elected first U.S. President.
  9. 1791: Bill of Rights adopted.
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Constitutional Powers and Structure of the Republic

Posted by on Oct 2, 2025 in International Relations | 0 comments

The Executive Branch

The President of the Republic: Head of State

The President of the Republic, the Head of State, is elected by direct universal suffrage for a term of five years. He or she may not serve for more than two consecutive terms (Art. 6 Constitution). The voting system is the single-member two-round majority system (Art. 7).

The role of the President is to ensure, through his or her arbitration, the proper government and the continuity of the State (Art. 5). He or she is responsible for

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