Economy, enlightenment and liberalism: the “cortes” at cádiz

Abstract

From the year 1788 onwards, new and singular historical circumstances (given the French and American revolutions, the publication of A. Smith’s works, the War Of independence, the colonial crisis…) allowed the possibility of creating a liberal government to become true. At the “Cortes” held in Cádiz, the collective subject, embodied in the concept of national sovereignty, succeeded the “philosopher” king in charge of reforms. The “Liberal Utopia” made parliamentarians believe that institutional change would be absolutely necessary towards economic recovery. It wouldn’t be so. Liberal legislation, having left aside rural and industrial interests, was born without basic social and economic support, in itself totally necessary to guarantee stability.