The Empire of the Cities: Emperor Charles V, the __Comunero__ Revolt, and the Transformation of the Spanish System

Starting in the nineteenth century the scholarly consensus has been to attribute the decline of the Spanish empire to structural rigidity, corrupt bureaucracy and repressive policies. In The Empire of the Cities , Aurelio Espinosa challenges these theories and offers groundbreaking insight into Spain’s political process and emphasizes early modern state formation. Spain’s empire should no longer be viewed simply as a symbol of royal absolutism and dominance. Rather it functioned as a collection of autonomous municipalities interconnected by a parliament that articulated domestic programs and foreign policy. Professor Espinosa also provides a more nuanced understanding of the monarchical government in revealing new insight into royal institutions and management procedures under Emperor Charles V. The Empire of the Cities offers a fascinating and penetrating look inside Spain’s political system that encouraged both expansionism and domestic stability. The Struggle For Power -- Parliamentary Authority, Merced, And The Reform Of Local Administration -- Executive Reform, Hispanicization, And Early Modern State Formation -- Judicial Reform And The Nature Of Early Modern Government As A System Of Courts -- New Spain And The Establishment Of Local Networks Of A Reformed Judiciary. By Aurelio Espinosa. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [313]-342) And Index. This study of the Spanish monarchy, bureaucracy and representative government under Charles V before and after the comunero revolt (1520-1521) demonstrates how the emperor and Castilian republics institutionalized management procedures that promoted accountability, advanced a meritocracy, and facilitated expansionism and domestic stability.