The transformation of Spanish politics: a review of the historical legacy The rise and decline of the Spanish empire: the politics of the

Any understanding of contemporary Spanish politics has to take into account the historical trajectory of this important European country. For many centuries Spain was a kingdom consisting of several regions, each one characterised by linguistic and cultural differences. It took centuries to bring all these different political and economic sub-units into a coherent larger whole. Even today, the emphasis on the regional differences of Spain is a major element of the identity of the country. Indeed, one can speak of Spains (Españas) in terms of politics, economics, culture and geography. Since the unification of the two main kingdoms of Spain in 1492 under the Reyes Catolicos (Catholic monarchs), Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile, the country was able to unleash energies which led to its unification by conquering the southern kingdom of Granada controlled by the Moors, the discovery and colonisation of America and the expansion of the Spanish kingdom to the largest empire ever reaching fromLisbon to theMiddle East under Charles V (1517-56) and Philip II (1556-98).