Reformists in Spain have long worked towards bringing the country's economy in line with the rest of Europe, since the late 19th century (Royo, 2006). The Franco regime resulted in stunted economic growth. After decades under such rule, Spain was enthusiastic to modernize its economy. A former world power, Spain had fallen by the wayside economically and politically during the 20th century. The relationships that the nation had established with Latin America had become relatively meaningless, and Spain was considered a backwater within Europe. Even before the fall of Franco, steps were taken to open the economy. After the fall of Franco the pace of reforms accelerated further. But ascension into the EU provided Spain with the impetus to make bold reforms, and it was these that allowed for the recent long-term run of strong growth. Much of Spain's economic renaissance can be attributed to a desire among the Spanish to restore the nation to prominence. It was not without difficulty that Spanish leadership undertook the aggressive reforms that followed EU ascendancy. There were high social costs in the short-term, but the nation's leadership was committed to restoring Spain as a major European power. After a generation of aggressive reforms, this restoration has occurred. Now, with Spain's economic might restored, its political power has returned. Spain is now in a position to drive the EU agenda on many issues, and it has exercised that privilege.

Conclusion

Spain's expanded role in the international system relates directly to its economic renaissance. Few world powers gave the Spanish more than cursory consideration when the nation was poor and dependent on agriculture and fishing. Now, with a strong and diversified economy, Spain has returned to prominence in the world. The Spanish are restoring their historical influence in Latin America...

They have gained a seat at the table when the world's leaders meet.
As an actor in the international system, Spain is considered to be emergent. However, in context with its history, it may be more reasonable to view Spain as re-emergent. The movement that gained so much traction with EU ascendancy had been brewing for decades prior, from 19th century reformists to the post-Franco baby steps that the nation took, achieving steady pre-EU growth before membership allowed the Spanish economy to truly explode. Spain's strong new role in the world is a return to the role it once had. During the conquistador days, Spain was a global economic power with a big, diversified economy. Only be restoring size and diversification to its economy has Spain returned to political prominence. The degree to which this can be maintained in the face of the current economic contraction remains to be seen.

Works Cited:

Royo, Sebastian. (2006). The European Union and Economic Reforms: The Case of Spain. Real Instituto Elcano. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/documentos/243.asp

Gillespie, Richard & Youngs, Richard. (2001). Spain: The European and International Challenges. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from http://books.google.com/books?id=xEMBYaVyBBMC&pg=PA64&lpg=PA64&dq=economic+integration+spain+EU&source=bl&ots=T5vvb3X7h3&sig=xIbDN_rpFvGiQKq76qRjG0iHuPs&hl=en&ei=szPZSeCwHYG-tgerkrnUCw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4

CIA World Factbook: Spain. (2009). Retrieved April 5, 2009 from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sp.html

No author. (2009). Economic Data: Spain. The Economist. Retrieved April 5, 2009 from http://www.economist.com/countries/Spain/profile.cfm?folder=Profile-Economic%20Data