Understanding State Organization, Governance, and the Spanish Territory
1.0 What is a State?
A state is a set of institutions created to organize the lives and activities of the people who live in the same territory and are governed by the same laws, under the same authority.
1.1 How is the State Organized?
- People (have rights and duties)
- Territory (it’s defined by borders)
- Authority (power)
1.2 How are State Territories Usually Separated?
States are associated with the territory they run and govern. State territories are normally defined by borders that separate them from other states and their territories.
1.3 Why are Areas Within a State Territory Sometimes Autonomous?
The people who form part of a state do not necessarily share the same social, political, and cultural background. It is common for people of different cultures and even different nationalities to exist in the same state.
1.4 What are the Functions of the State?
- It establishes the laws (parliament).
- It ensures compliance with the laws through the political authority.
- It is responsible for order and foreign security.
- It is responsible for foreign policy.
- It collects taxes.
- It runs the economy.
- It provides: public services, health care.
- Infrastructure – schools, hospitals, collective facilities, roads, airports, etc.
Separation of Powers
- The Parliament (legislative functions)
- The Government (executive functions)
- The Judicial Authority (judicial functions)
1.5 Why is There Separation of Powers in a Democracy?
A state is democratic when citizens participate in government business. To guarantee the rights and duties of the people who live in the same territory.
Factors of International Relations
- The power of the United States (this country tends to dominate the international political arena).
- The emergence of Islam as a political reference in some states.
- The increasingly important role played by China.
1.6 What is Multilateralism?
There is a trend towards multilateralism, which is based on agreements between various countries on specific issues.
1.7 What are Emerging Countries?
This group includes a set of countries that are growing more rapidly than others (Brazil, Turkey, Mexico, etc.).
1.8 What Kinds of Treaties and Conventions Have Been Signed by States?
The signing of international treaties, conventions, and declarations on human rights in which states undertake to carry out or avoid certain measures. The creation of supranational organizations.
1.9 What Has Globalization Caused Regions and Large Cities to Do?
Globalization has also caused regions and major cities to highlight their economic, historical, and cultural importance. This has also caused them to insist on managing their resources and to share powers.
2.0 How is the Spanish Territory Organized?
It is organized into municipalities, provinces, and autonomous communities.
2.1 How are the Municipalities Governed?
It is governed by a local authority.
2.2 Where Do the Municipalities Obtain Their Economic Income?
Municipalities obtain resources to perform their functions either through their own taxes or those collected and provided by the state and the autonomous community.
2.3 What is a Province?
It is an administrative division made up of municipalities. It is a territorial division and also a local authority since it provides services to municipalities.
2.4 How Many Provinces Were Created in 1833?
49
2.6 What is the Structure of a Municipality?
A municipality is the most basic administrative division of the Spanish territory. It can consist of one or more population centers and is governed by a local authority that is close to the residents and can attend to them quickly.
2.7 What are the Three Main Functions of a Province?
- It is an electoral district for national elections.
- It serves as a territorial division for the central government and sometimes as the internal division of an autonomous community.
- It works with municipalities and coordinates supramunicipal actions. The specific mission of the provincial administration is to help municipalities manage certain services and activities.
2.8 What is an Autonomous Community?
According to the 1978 Constitution, regions with common historical, cultural, and economic characteristics may become autonomous communities. In 1979-1983, 17 autonomous communities were created, seven of which have only one province.
2.9 What is the Difference Between Shared and Full Competences?
Some of these are full competences, which means the autonomous community is entirely responsible for them. These include the organization of their government institutions, housing, health, education, etc. Other competences are shared with the central government. These include road management and labor law.
3.0 What is an Assembly or Parliament?
An assembly or parliament where laws are debated and passed, the actions of the autonomous government are controlled, the president is elected, and budgets are approved.
3.1 What Social Welfare Indications are Used to Measure a Country’s Standard of Living?
The Human Development Index (HDI) is an indicator that measures the level of development of a country’s inhabitants and evaluates aspects that impact people’s well-being and quality of life. For example, health, education level, consumption.
3.2 What is a Constitution?
The Spanish Constitution recognizes the right of nationalities and regions to become autonomous communities.
3.3 What is a Statute of Autonomy?
It defines the institutions, rules, and powers of each autonomous community, for which they receive the economic resources required to exercise them.