The System of Canova and the Constitution of 1876

Posted on Aug 17, 2024 in History

1. The System of Canova: The Constitution of 1876 and the Duty of Parties

The Constitution of 1876: A Moderate Approach

After the elections, the Constituent Cortes convened, resulting in the drafting of the Constitution of 1876. This constitution drew heavily from the Constitution of 1845, incorporating some rights from the 1869 Constitution, albeit with limitations. The key strength of this constitution lay in its adaptability. Its articles were intentionally broad, allowing for legislative changes based on the alternating parties without requiring constitutional amendments. This flexibility provided stability to the political system.

Key Features of the Constitution:

  • Shared sovereignty between the King and the Cortes.
  • A declaration of rights similar to that of 1869, but with superficial mentions, leaving specific regulations to ordinary laws. This allowed the government to modify or restrict rights through new legislation without altering the constitution.
  • Catholicism declared as the official religion, prohibiting public displays of other faiths while acknowledging freedom of worship.
  • Increased power vested in the King, including executive authority, appointing ministers, approving and enacting laws, and convening, dissolving, and suspending the Cortes.
  • Diminished power of the Cortes, which were bicameral:
    • The Senate, composed of life senators by right, life senators appointed by the King, and senators elected by prominent taxpayers and corporations, requiring a high social standing.
    • The Congress, which was elective, but the constitution did not specify the type of vote, allowing the government to manipulate elections in its favor.

The Turno Pacífico (Peaceful Alternation): A Political Charade

The entire political system orchestrated by Cánovas manifested as a deceptive practice. The peaceful alternation between parties transformed into pre-arranged government changes between the two dominant parties, creating the turno pacífico. Elections were manipulated to favor the designated party, undermining the democratic process.

In the 1880s, most existing parties aligned with either the Conservative Party led by Cánovas or the Liberal Party led by Sagasta. Despite their apparent differences, both parties tacitly accepted the rigged system of government transitions.

The Procedure of the Turno Pacífico:

  1. A. The two parties alternated in power peacefully, agreeing on reasonable terms for governance.
  2. B. They accepted significant changes implemented by the ruling party and pledged to maintain them upon assuming power.
  3. C. When the agreed-upon time for a change in government arrived, the ruling party, in consultation with the opposition and the King, initiated the transition.
  4. D. The King then appointed a new government, dissolved the Cortes, and called for elections that were manipulated to favor the designated party.

The Conservative Party assumed power in 1875, focusing on consolidating the Canovista regime. In 1881, the Liberal Party took over, implementing its program until 1890, including the Law of Associations and the reinstatement of universal suffrage, among other liberalizing measures.

Patronage and Electoral Fraud: The Role of the Caciques

Public opinion held little significance in the manipulated electoral process. The system relied on a network of corruption, with the caciques (local political bosses) playing a central role. Both parties established their networks to ensure favorable election outcomes.

The Structure of the Network:

  • In Madrid: The oligarchy, comprising high-ranking politicians and influential figures linked to the ruling classes (nobility, landed gentry).
  • In the Provinces: The Civil Governors held key positions.
  • In Towns and Cities: The local caciques wielded significant power and influence due to wealth, connections, or control over a dependent population.

The Process of Electoral Fraud:

Under the coordination of the Minister of the Interior, electoral fraud was carried out as follows:

  1. The oligarchs in Madrid relayed instructions to the Civil Governors.
  2. The Civil Governors compiled lists of candidates to be elected in each locality and communicated them to the caciques.
  3. The caciques, as the final link in the chain, directly manipulated the vote through various methods, ranging from paternalistic and protective attitudes towards the electorate to outright rigging (altering ballot boxes, adding fraudulent votes), including threats and extortion.

Conclusion:

The political system of the Restoration served as a facade, concealing the true control of power by a limited oligarchy. Consequently, the shift towards universal suffrage had minimal impact on the overall political landscape.