Electronic administration in Spain: from its beginnings to the present

This study presents the basic lines of electronic administration in Spain. The complexity of the Spanish political-administrative system makes such a study challenging, in view of the considerable degree of autonomy and competences of the regional administrative bodies and local agencies with respect to the central government, the former being more visible in the 17 regions of Spain. Nonetheless, the central government maintains a series of legal instruments that allow a certain common framework of action to be imposed, aside from what is put into effect through diverse programs aimed precisely to develop common tools for the regions and municipalities of Spain. After an introduction that provides some necessary background, this study describes the legislative framework in which Spain's electronic administrative system has developed. The data included in the study refer to investment in information and communication technologies (ICT) and the services offered by the different Administrations on the internet; internet access by citizens, homes, businesses, and employees, as well as the interactivity existing with administrations by means of the internet; the origins and rise of various political initiatives of the Central Government involving electronic administration; and finally, the situation of civil service personnel, as catalysts of the success of Information Society in the Public Administration within Spain

A model of tourism planning and design: the Euro-Region Galicia-Northern Portugal as a common tourism destination

The new configuration of the Euro-region Galicia-Northern Portugal is in need of a debate on the problems regarding its development. Important questions arise, such as the organization and planning of common tourism destinations. In this paper important and valuable scientific literature on this topic and data from a study carried out by the authors for the Eixo Atlántico in 2001 are used to implement some instruments for their application to the Euro-region. The model presented here is a systemic elaboration of the design of the Euro-region as a common tourism destination in which a formal structure of its elements is provided, which will prove useful to managers and planners in their analysis of situations and in decision-making processes. Key words: common destinations, cross-border regions, planning.

Time for Spain to Support a New Direction on the Common Agricultural Policy?

During the lifetime of all farm workers in Spain, the agricultural sector has been highly regulated and protected. In the 1980s the regulatory framework that had evolved during the Franco regime was replaced by that of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) of the European Community. The European regime was not a static framework, but one which had already begun to shift from a 'productivist' to a 'post-productivist' system in the face of criticism both from inside and outside the Community. Agriculture was increasingly anomalous as other markets in the Community were liberalised. Since the mid-1980s the pressures for reform have continued unabated. In response the CAP has been subject to continuous modifications, which have never quite tackled fundamental policy weaknesses. At the beginning of 2003, with EU enlargement in sight, possibly some new political context for Europe, and in the midst of a new round of world trade negotiations (Doha Round) in which agriculture is the make-or-break issue, it seems a propitious time to reassess Spain's position on the CAP. Inside the EU there is a division of opinion, ranging from the British stance, which is extremely critical and seeks fundamental reform, to the French position that supports the status quo. Despite Spain's advocacy of liberalisation in other sectors of the economy, few voices in Spain have argued for liberalisation in agriculture. Protectionism has, after all, been the norm. In the face of new reform proposals under the Mid-term Review of the CAP, Spain has lined up with the French in opposition. This is unsurprising since Spain is the second largest net recipient of European transfers to the agriculture sector after France. But such a stance may not be the most beneficial one for Spain. Few studies in Spain have questioned the long-term continued support of agriculture in Spain despite the fact that EU enlargement and WTO proposals point to further reform. This paper sets out to examine the operation of the Common Agricultural Policy in Spain, to assess the present proposals for reform and to consider the Spanish position on the future of the CAP. It argues that in principle there is a strategic case for supporting an agricultural system more responsive to market forces and at least a shift from production to income support

Regional empowerment, secessionism and European integration: the cases of Catalonia and Scotland

One of the main challenges facing multicultural states in today's globalised world is accommodating the various diverse groups living within them. Especially complex are the claims of minority sub-state nations, which demand greater autonomy and in extreme cases want to separate. Recently several regionalist or nationalist movements have become more assertive, and there has emerged a new dimension to the matter – the movements envision independence within the European Union (EU). If a constituent region of an EU member state were to become independent, it would set a precedent. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to analyse the relationship between European integration and secessionism in multicultural states. Building on theoretical insights from multilevel governance, new regionalism and rational choice institutionalism, the thesis analyses the international environment created by European integration, the political and economic empowerment of regions in the EU since the Single European Act, as well as the mobilisation of subnational actors, which pursue their regional interests and demand more powers (including independence). The study is conducted using two cases, Catalonia and Scotland, and finds that they have rationally responded to their changed opportunity structures. Thus, the main result of the analysis is that European integration has strengthened secessionism in multinational states with sizeable geographically concentrated indigenous minority groups, by creating a favourable international environment for small states, and strengthening regions and subnational actors economically and politically.http://www.ester.ee/record=b5147543*es

The Conflicts of Euro-Islam: The issues of immigration and integration of Muslims into European Society

Islamophobia is on the rise and is now a sentiment that has transcended almost every European country. In the aftermath of 9/11 and the subsequent bombings in Madrid and London, anxiety and fear of the “other” has been heightened. This fear has been harnessed by political parties in many European countries, most notably Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and France. These countries all have supported political parties that have formed an anti-Muslim platform. The main claim is that the “Islamic identity” is incompatible with the “European identity”. Despite these xenophobic attitudes, the immigration population still inhabits European countries and continues to grow. An intense debate has ensued about the immigration and integration polices within many European countries. Immigration policies in general are being reexamined in the rise of this discourse. My thesis examines the issues and questions surrounding the conflict of foreigners in Europe. Through my research I have found that the issue of Muslim immigrants in Europe is particularly problematic and complex. My paper seeks to outline the immigration and integration policies in Europe and to compare the difference in circumstances in Southern and Northern Europe. I have focused on Spain as a sample country for Southern Europe, and Denmark as a sample country for Northern Europe. While my findings and conclusions are by no means true for all Southern or Northern European countries, there is evidence of general trends for each region. My thesis is framed by this comparison but what it really analyzes is why countries have such a challenge with the successful integration of immigrants. I look towards historical imperial legacies, 20th century migration trends, geographical location, the legal systems, and the construction of national identities