According to the review the thesis of Preston is that despite of the “Spaniards enjoying among the best protections of civil, political, and human rights in the world” then “for all its success at consolidating democracy, the country has often been held back by the staggering corruption of its political class ... starting with the monarchy and moving on to the Church ... no national authority has thought of anything but itself.”
However the reviewer claims that Preston takes the thesis to far: “Preston’s implication that corruption goes ignored by Spain’s government and citizens is also belied by the fact that few other countries have been as zealous in prosecuting graft. As a Politico report noted in 2017, Spain has tried and convicted “top business people, ministers, regional presidents, mayors and even Princess Cristina.””
I found it an interesting perspective on the discussion of the corruption cases involvering King Juan Carlos and Princess Christina. I wonder if anyone here has read the Preston book?
Could be interestering if Preston were to update his biography on King Juan Carlos.
The review in Foreign Affairs is to be found here: https://www.foreignaffairs.com/reviews/review-essay/2020-12-08/spanish-miracle
I believe it is accessable for free for anyone who registers at the page.
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