In the history of Spain, the nation always produces im-consultant declines. At least in terms of the incorporation of a truly European core: the support of industrial, technical and scientific development. It is also true that the cultural weight of Spain was very significant, especially in the arts, literature and exploration of the world. For this reason, the systematic backwardness of the Spanish economy and, more specifically, its distance from scientific and technical innovations stand out.
The reasons for the historical lag are complex. Perhaps, in a collective sense, the inertia of the medieval order structure described by Américo Castro has survived. Nobles and nobles withdraw from commercial or professional engagements. The ethics of work and the culture of innovation are reserved for other territories of exploration.
A little more than a century ago, Ramiro de Maeztu wrote a sharp critique of Max Weber on the Protestant thesis on ethics and the spirit of (innovative) capitalism. Vasca asserted that a decisive factor in the industrial revolution was non-Protestant ethics. The reason was that the Basques, pure Catholics, excelled exceptionally in this development. Even the Catalans and some of the core of the region of Valencia did it always within the Spanish modesty. But the nation as a whole fell far behind the determined path of central Europe to a factory economy, supported by the superiority of science. Although some individuals, we Spaniards always find ourselves in the back position.
The question is not one of natural abilities, but, again, of a certain weakness of our dominant ethics. In Spain, the spirit of sustainable work is still not valued, curiosity is held in a derogatory way and innovation appears mischievous. Thus there is no evidence for a systematic culture of science. Add to that the social and political prejudice against the type of business, perceived or profitable.
It is important to know how to play the game. Spain cannot enter the core of science-creating Europe, especially Britain, Germany, the Netherlands, France, and some other countries. It would be enough to access small parts of Poland or Ireland. It is bad that temptations arise to imitate the opposite state of Argentina or Venezuela. At least, that seems to be the case with the current government in Spain. If God does not heal, he will continue in the next legislature.
Nor does all of Europe promise a promising economic future. Geographically it was drawn as the western peninsula of Asia. Again, Spain stands for the western end of little Europe. At least it could be a perspective of China’s emerging great power. Its path is true progress especially in scientific and commercial innovation.
We leave what has been done in Spain for our historical contribution: the Andalusian Reconquest, the American Conquest, the Golden Age of Culture, the Constitution of 1812, also the Silver Age of Literature (before the 19th century), and the first third part. on the xx). The Democratic transition of the last century might add. And you stop counting.
