The State in the fields. The regulation of rice cultivation in 19th century Spain

Abstract

The role of the state in the 19th-century Spanish economy has been very controversial and has generally been considered negative. This article seeks to evaluate state intervention in the regulation of rice cultivation. This regulation, which was justified as a measure to combat malaria, encountered great difficulties in being implemented due to local resistance and administrative constraints, until the new state apparatus emerging from the liberal revolution became consolidated. In the second half of the 19th century, however, the State introduced legislation that was to last and was generally complied with. Thus the State showed a certain autonomy with regard to deeply rooted social interests and introduced measures that had an impact on improving the population's health.