Throughout the 20th century, Spain’s ruling elites consistently aimed to strengthen state control over society, the economy, and public life, despite changes in government. Under Miguel Primo de Rivera’s rule (1923-1930), this goal was framed as “national renewal,” with the state replacing free-market competition with a system of corporate control. However, this “modernizing” vision relied on suppressing labor movements like the CNT while co-opting others like the UGT to maintain order. The Second Spanish Republic (1931–1939) didn’t reverse this trend but tried to reshape it, aiming to democratize the state. Yet political divisions weakened these efforts, showing how deeply authoritarian habits were ingrained. Under Francisco Franco (1939–1975), state control became even more systematic. It promoted nationalism, Catholicism, and anti-communism, while isolating Spain internationally. The state managed the economy through autarky, leading to shortages but later setting the stage for growth. After Franco’s death in 1975, Spain transitioned to democracy.
