The group of research of Recent History(GIHRE) of the University of Navarra organized last Thursday, March 12, a seminar on"The Spain of development" with José Luis Orella, professor at the University of San Pablo CEU in Madrid, who also presented his book with the same title degree scroll, recently published by publishing house Galland Books. 

Orella addressed the study of the so-called Spanish "developmentalism" and its protagonists, during the 60s and 70s of the last century, which are revealed as "juicy, unpublished and necessary topics to deal with" since many comments have been made about them that do not correspond to the historical reality of what happened.

His study covers the work of the men who made possible the development of Spanish society, including personalities such as Carrero Blanco or López Bravo, and others who, according to speaker , still remain "in the shadows", awaiting recognition of their dedicated work in those years, such as Alberto Ullastres or Vicente Mortes. He also addressed another of the topics of the historiography of the time, wondering if technocrats really existed, and concluding that they lived in the minds of journalists, but did not respond to the existence of a political family of the regime.

Professor José Luis Orella traced some of the most predominant lines of the policy of development in subject economic, social and cultural that characterized those years. He especially highlighted the work of foreign policy, which was professionalized and opened Spain to new markets, developing a "very saleable" image of our country, with direct results in the new relations with countries in the Arab world, Latin America, or the relationship of alliance with the United States.

The historical evolution that followed the work of these men in Franco's government, their withdrawal after the death of Carrero and the change of political direction that led to the appointment of Arias, also contributed, according to speaker, to a certain undermining and forgetfulness of the project that they tried to build, and that to a large extent was resumed in the years of the Transition.  

internship To conclude, Professor Orella ventured that, "if after Carrero's death there had been no obstacles, the policy of development that was being put in place in Spain, together with the international context, would have led to a transition to democracy".