Spain

Spain had a tumultuous history during the 20th century. Struggling to adapt to the forces of modernization, Spain suffered a civil war between 1936 and 1939. The fascist victory gave way to four decades of dictatorial rule that only came to an end after the death of Francisco Franco. The death of Franco led the way for a managed democratic transition that has not fully tackled the power structures dominant during the 1930s. Poverty levels in Spain have followed this convulsive history. Democratization in the late 1970s and entry into the European Union in the 1980s led to rapid economic growth and increased wealth accumulation. However, the global financial crisis has had very serious consequences for Spain’s levels of poverty and inequality, leading to high ...