«The dialectic of fists and pistols». A study of the spanish fascism’s notion of the State (1931-1945)

Abstract

The article focuses on the formation and evolution of the Falangist’s notion of the State. In this respect, we analyse the theorization process which took place since the creation of the first Spanish groups inspired by Fascism, leaded by Ramiro Ledesma Ramos, Onésimo Redondo and José Antonio Primo de Rivera, who established the doctrinal roots of the movement. Then, we study its development during the Spanish Civil War and the first postwar years, period which marked the culminating point of the single party’s political hegemony project. Finally, we look at the situation at the end of the Second World War, when Falangist’s ideologist faced up the need of moving away from the totalitarianism positions. At the same time, we point out its degree of equivalence with the doctrine and path followed by the Fascist and Nazi movements, as well as its presence in the organic laws of Franco’s dictatorship.