ABSTRACT
The aim of this chapter1 is to provide a brief overview of contemporary Spanish sociology and social theory. Our approach is manifold. First, we think that any satisfactory interpretation of contemporary sociology and social theory in Spain must take into account the country’s ‘anomalous’ modern history within Europe. Spain entered the twentieth century in a state of crisis, impotence and confusion and many thought it had ceased to count in a number of fields. One was social science. This judgement was harsh and even unfair at the time. Today, however, it would be groundless. There was an initial, significant development of sociology and social theory in Spain that experienced notable ups and downs due to the country’s unique historical circumstances. This process was little known in Europe due to the peripheral position of the country in relation to other more developed countries.
