Download COURSE TITLE: Economy of Present-day Spain

COURSE TITLE: Economy of Present-day Spain
Universitat de Barcelona
20 Contact Hours
Offered at Level A (Beginner & Intermediate) and B (Advanced & Superior)
COURSE DESCRIPTION FOR ALL LEVELS:
LEVEL A (Beginner & Intermediate)
Fall Course Title:
Spanish Welfare State
Spring Course Title: Big Spanish Contemporary Economic Crisis
LEVEL B (Advanced & Superior)
Fall Course Title:
Analysis of the Spanish Economy
Spring Course Title: Spanish Contemporary Economic Policy
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the course is to introduce the main characteristics and the key players in current Spanish
economy and over the recent decades. The main objective is to provide students with the essential elements
to grasp the current Spanish economy, which will be analyzed in class by commenting articles published in
the press. The course is organized in two terms. The first term will introduce the factors that define the
Spanish economy in general (its main areas of activity, its most relevant weaknesses, the evolution of
consumption, etc.) and briefly review the economic policies implemented by the different governments of the
Franco era. The second term centres on the last 25 years of democracy in Spain, placing particular emphasis
on aspects -- such as tax policy and the financing of the Autonomous Regional Communities-- that remain at
the forefront of an ongoing economic debate.
COURSE CONTENT (Fall Semester)
Introduction:
• The strong points and weak points of the Spanish economy.
• The media
• Banks and savings banks.
• Management and trade unions.
• Spain and the European Union
• The treasury and social security
• Regional Autonomous Governments´ financing
COURSE CONTENT (Spring Semester)
The Franco era (1939-1975):
• War, backwardness and autarchy
• The miracle of the sixties
The Transition (1975-1982):
• The Moncloa Agreements
The PSOE years in power (1982-1996):
• The reform of the productive sector.
• Taking off in the eighties
• Corruption and the "cultura del pelotazo"
The PP years in power (1996-2001):
• Stability and new liberalism.
READING LIST
GARCÍA DELGADO, J.L. (dir.) (1993), España, economía, (6ª edición), Madrid, Espasa Calpe.
NADAL, J. - CARRERAS, A. - SUDRIA, C., (1987), La economía española en el siglo XX. Una perspectiva
histórica, Barcelona, Ariel.
TAMAMES, R. - RUEDA, A., (1998), Introducción a la economía española, (23ª edición), Madrid, Alianza
Editorial.
CHISLETT, W. (dir.) (2007), Spain. Going places. Madrid, Fundación Telefónica.
PEDRAFITA, S., STEINBERG, F., TORREBLANCA, J.I. (2007), 20 años de España en la Unión Europea (19862006), Madrid, Real Instituto Elcano.