Four decades of territorial distribution of power in Spain: A measurement of subnational autonomy (1974-2018)

Abstract

This article addresses territorial power relations in Spain by presenting an index of subnational autonomy, which assesses four decades of decentralized territorial authority in the country. Focusing mainly on Spain’s regions, or Autonomous Communities, the study measures subnational autonomy in the fiscal, administrative, institutional and societal dimensions, and shows that subnational governments in Spain have been progressively enjoying higher levels of autonomy despite important setbacks experienced after the 2008 economic crisis. More specifically, the article highlights that this process presents identifiable patterns, which become manifest in the pace and order of granting autonomy. Furthermore, the paper provides some criteria for further research on the advances and setbacks of subnational autonomy in Spain.