Guide in PDF format
Logo

Spanish Foreign Policy

Code: 101094
Credits: 6
2026/2027
Degree programme Type Course
Political Science and Public Management OP 3
Political Science and Public Management OP 4
International Relations OP 4
Contemporary History, Politics and Economics OP 3
Contemporary History, Politics and Economics OP 4

Contact lecturer

Name :
Eduard Soler Lecha
Email :
eduard.soler@uab.cat

Teaching staff

Francesc Serra Massansalvador
Eduard Soler Lecha
Patricia Aguado Gamero
Oriol Barba Suñol

Group languages

You can consult this information at the end of the document.

Prerequisites

The course does not require any prior language requirements. However, it is important to note that passive command of Spanish will be necessary, even in the English-taught group. The nature and characteristics of the course require access to both primary and secondary sources that are only available in Spanish. Lack of knowledge of this language will not be accepted as a reason to avoid assignments, exercises, or readings during the course.

Nevertheless, in the English group, all students will be required to complete assignments, practical work, and exams in English, which is the working language of the group.

Objectives

-  Provide the student with analytical, introductory instruments to apply to the study of Spanish foreign policy.

-  To place the study of Spanish foreign policy in a historical perspective, in order to find out the factors of change and continuity and assess the intensity of the changes and the solidity of their inhibitors.

-  Analyze the characteristics of the process of elaboration (values, interests, decisions), execution (instruments, actions) and control of foreign policy, with special attention to the interaction between domestic and foreign policy

-  Identify the thematic and geographical priorities of Spanish foreign policy, identifying the relevant actors, the evolution of the agenda, the instruments, the alliances and the impacts of the policies developed by the governments of the democratic period.

-  Compare the characteristics of Spanish foreign policy with foreign policies of other actors, especially those of other European states.

-  Stimulate discussion among students about the ability of Spanish foreign policy to adapt to international and internal transformations.

Learning outcomes

  1. Working in teams and networking, particularly in interdisciplinary conditions.
  2. Identifying sources of data and conducting bibliographic and documentary searches.
  3. Synthesizing and critically analysing information.
  4. Interpreting and applying English texts in an academic way.
  5. Arguing from different theoretical perspectives.
  6. Working by using quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques in order to apply them to research processes.
  7. Using the main information and documentation techniques (ICT) as an essential tool for the analysis.
  8. Demonstrating good writing skills in different contexts.
  9. Realising effective oral presentations that are suited to the audience.
  10. Managing the available time in order to accomplish the established objectives and fulfil the intended task.
  11. Working autonomously.
  12. Producing and planning researches or analytical reports.
  13. Designing data collection techniques, coordinating the information processing and meticulously applying hypothesis verification methods.
  14. Properly using the theory and concepts of international relations (traditions of Hobbesian, Grotian or Kantian thought).
  15. Explaining the major approximations to the international relations (realism, transnationalism and structuralism).
  16. Describing the international order: anarchy versus order, society of states and transnational society.
  17. Describing the main characteristic elements of the international society as a whole (1945-2000).
  18. Critically assessing the impacts of globalization in several areas: safety, environment, human rights, migrations and peace.
  19. Demonstrating they know theoretical tendencies and classical and recent analytical approximations of International Relations.
  20. Assessing specific distinctive aspects and conceptual and methodological instruments of the different tendencies and analytical approximations of International Relations.
  21. Applying theoretical and analytical knowledge of International Relations to practical and professional cases, in particular to the areas of conflict and cooperation between actors.
  22. Students must be capable of applying their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional way and they should have building arguments and problem resolution skills within their area of study.
  23. Students must be capable of collecting and interpreting relevant data (usually within their area of study) in order to make statements that reflect social, scientific or ethical relevant issues.
  24. Students must develop the necessary learning skills to undertake further training with a high degree of autonomy.
  25. Identify data sources and carry out rigorous bibliographical and documentary searches.
  26. Use metatheoretical data to argue and establish plausible relation of causality and establish ways of validating or rejecting them.
  27. Apply quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques in research processes.
  28. Demonstrate knowledge of theoretical trends and classical and recent analytical approaches to international relations.
  29. Make a brief comparison of national and/or regional cases within the same international and/or regional framework.
  30. Identify the factors of change and continuity and the main trends in Spanish foreign and security policies, and their relationship with the international, European and Atlantic organisations with which they interact.
  31. Analyse processes of decision-making, drawing up and implementing Spanish foreign and security policies.
  32. Analyse the historical and comparative roles of the different actors in the large regional areas.

Contents


Block I: AN ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE STUDY OF SPANISH FOREIGN POLICY


Theme 1. The Conceptual framework


  1. Taxonomy: Foreign policy, diplomacy, foreign action, paradiplomacy and public diplomacy
  2. Historical Developments: Foreign Policy and Society of States)
  3. Foreign policy vs. domestic policy (two-¡levelgame): foreign policy as interrelation between decision makers, international system (structural factors) and domestic context (internal factors)
  4. The study of the factors and intensity of change in foreign policies and their inhibitors.


Theme 2. Instruments of analysis


  1. Preparation of foreign policy: agenda (priorities) and decision-making process
  2. Development of foreign policy: values, identity and interests.
  3. Execution of foreign policy: objectives, instruments
  4. Instruments (coercion vs. persuasion): diplomatic, military, economic, cultural


Theme 3. Guidelines for reflection in the Spanish case


  1. Democracy: a democratic foreign policy?
  2. Ethics: an ethical foreign policy?
  3. Gender: a feminist foreign policy?
  4. Multilateralism: a europeanised foreign policy?


Block II. SPANISH FOREIGN POLICY IN HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE


Theme 4. Spain in 20th century international society. The Pre-Franco Period (1898-1936)


  1. Impact of the \"98\": decadence of Spain in the international context
  2. The question of Morocco as the center of the agenda (effects on domestic policy)
  3. Spanish neutrality and nascent multilateralism (Society of Nations)
  4. Internationalist Thought (Second Republic)


Theme 5. Civil War and First Francoism (1936-1957): internationalization, from isolation to reintegration


  1. Processes and actors of the internationalization of the civil war
  2. World War II: From Non-Belligerenceto Neutrality
  3. International isolation from the Franco regime and relations that break this blockade (Latin America, the Arab world, Portugal, the Vatican and the United States)
  4. Spain in the context of the First Cold War and the building of the United Nations system.


Theme 6. Francoism and Late Francoism (1957-1975):


  1. New principles (autonomy), new instruments (modernization of the Ministry) and personalities (Castiella)
  2. The insertion and impact of global processes: multilateralism, détente, decolonization and European construction
  3. The impact of the transformations of Spanish society: economic growth, emigration, modernization and political mobilization
  4. Agenda: agreements with the United States and the EEC, conflicts of sovereignty (Gibraltar) and decolonization (Morocco, Equatorial Guinea and Sahara).


Theme 7. Beginnings of Transition and Foreign Policy


  1. Democratic Transition and External Transition
  2. Legacy of Francoism: system penetrating the United States, substitution policies (Latin America, Arab world), syndrome of isolation in Europe
  3. Themes in international relations: standardization (Human Rights), homologation with Europe, multilateralization and globalization
  4. Consensus and dissension in foreign policy: European integration and transatlantic relations


Block III. ACTORS AND DECISION-MAKING


Theme 8. Constitutional framework and institutional structure


  1. The legal framework: Spanish Constitution (1978) and Law of Action and Foreign Service (2014)
  2. Spanish foreign policy actors (head of state, government, legislature and judiciary) and the decision-making process
  3. Processes: Coordination and Presidentialization
  4. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Service


Theme 9. Political control, politicization and social debate


  1. Actors and Instruments of Parliamentary Control
  2. Political parties and foreign policy
  3. Consensus, dissension and politicization of foreign policy
  4. Other forms of control: public opinion and social movement


Theme 10. The role of sub-state entities in Spanish foreign policy


  1. Taxonomy: paradiplomacy and protodiplomacy
  2. Evolution of the legal framework and jurisprudence
  3. The Autonomous Communities in foreign policy: the case of Catalonia in comparative perspective
  4. The external action of local entities: the case of Barcelona in comparative perspective


Block IV: AGENDA AND EVOLUTION OF SPANISH FOREIGN POLICY


Theme 11. General considerations on the transformation of Spanish foreign policy into democracy


  1. Discussion on what kind of actor Spain is: the concept of average power
  2. The triangle of priorities (Europe, Latin America and the Mediterranean and the factors of continuity (the geographical determinants and historical legacies in the shaping of Spanish foreign policy)
  3. Factors of change: democratization, Europeanization and changes in the international system
  4. Change of government and leadership and impact on foreign policy.


Theme 12: The European policy of Spain


  1. Negotiation and accession to the EEC
  2. Spanish contributions to European integration and common foreign and security policy
  3. The European Alliances
  4. Positioning of Spain, its parties and its citizens, in the European fracture lines (cleavages).


Theme 13: Ibero-American/Latinamerican policy of Spain


  1. Historical Legacies and Social Links
  2. Actors: companies, civil society, diasporas
  3. Two proposals for Latin America: Ibero-Americanization and Europeanization
  4. Cases of politicization: Cuba and Venezuela.


Theme 14: The Mediterranean policy of Spain


  1. Geographical Conditioners and Historical Legacies
  2. The Maghreb and bilateral relations with Morocco
  3. The impetus of Euro-Mediterranean policy
  4. Middle East: Regional conflicts and business relations.


Theme 15: The (re)discovery of East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa


  1. Historical ties and new international realities
  2. Relations with the People's Republic of China and other Asian powers
  3. The Africa Plans
  4. Agenda: technology, connectivity, migration and development


Theme 16: The security agenda and transatlantic relations


  1. Modernization and internationalization of security and defence policy
  2. Actors: Armed forces, industrial-military complex and social movements
  3. Spain and the international and European security crises: Balkans, Iraq and Ukraine
  4. The internal-external security nexus: Cooperation in the fight against terrorism


Theme 17: Policy of development cooperation


  1. Internationalization, modernization and professionalization of the policy of international development cooperation
  2. The Actors: AECID, social movements and sub-state actors
  3. Changes in Legislation and Budgets
  4. Thematic priorities: business promotion, gender equality and migration agenda


Theme 18: The trade policy


  1. Modernisation, internationalisation and Europeanisation of the Spanish economy
  2. Evolution in sectors, customers and suppliers
  3. Instruments of commercial promotion at the state level (ICEX) and autonomous (Action)
  4. Political and ethical debates.


Theme 19: Soft Power: Public Diplomacy, Cultural and Sports Diplomacy


  1. Adapting to Global and Internal Change
  2. Spanish public diplomacy: actors, instruments and changes of priorities
  3. Linguistic, cultural and scientific diplomacy.
  4. Sports Diplomacy


Learning activities and methodology

Title Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Tutorials to comment exams, projects and other activities 38 1.52 17, 18
Evaluable seminars 30 1.2 2, 3, 4, 7, 10, 11, 13
Writing a supervised group work 8 0.32 1, 2, 3, 4, 19, 20
Reading texts 8 0.32 3, 4, 10, 19, 20
complementary activities 3 0.12 5, 7, 9, 13
Study of topics 4 0.16 1, 2, 3, 4, 21
Reading debate on compulsory and supplementary articles 30 1.2 2, 4, 10, 11, 13
Lectures and group discussion 17 0.68 2, 10, 11, 12, 13

The course methodology consists of a guided component, accounting for approximately 40% of the total number of hours students are expected to devote to the course. This component mainly consists of lectures, which also include group discussions. In addition, a number of assessed classroom activities are scheduled as part of the guided component. Students are expected to devote approximately 50% of the total workload to independent study, reading, and other preparatory activities. The remaining 5% is allocated to assessed written assignments and another 5% to tutorials.


Use of Artificial Intelligence: In this course, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies is permitted as an integral part of the development of coursework, provided that the final submission reflects a significant contribution by the student in terms of analysis and personal reflection. Students must clearly identify which parts have been generated using AI, specify the tools used, and include a critical reflection on how these tools have influenced both the process and the final outcome of the assignment. Failure to disclose the use of AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity and may result in a penalty to the assignment grade or more serious disciplinary sanctions where appropriate.


Plagiarism and other academic misconduct. In accordance with the academic regulations, any irregularity that may lead to a significant distortion of the assessment of an evaluation activity will result in a grade of 0 (zero) for that evaluation activity. If multiple irregularities occur in the assessment activities of the same course, the final grade for the course will be 0 (zero).



Annotation: within the schedule set by the centre or degree programme, 15 minutes of one class will be reserved for students to evaluate their lecturers and their courses or modules through questionnaires.

Assessment

Continuous assessment activities

Title Weight Hours ECTS Learning outcomes
Attendance and participation 10% 0 0 1, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 22, 24, 25, 26
Seminars 30% 8 0.32 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18, 19, 20, 21
Mid-term exam 25% 2 0.08 3, 5, 6, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32
Final exam 35% 2 0.08 3, 5, 7, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32

ASSESSMENT

Assessment for this course consists of two modalities: continuous assessment and single assessment. In both cases, exchange students will be assessed under the same conditions as all other students.

Continuous assessment

The final grade is based on the following components:

  • One midterm examination covering the first two sections of the syllabus (Topics 1–7): 20% of the final grade.
  • One midterm examination covering the remainder of the syllabus (Topics 8–19): 30% of the final grade.
  • A set of classroom assignments (with or without prior preparation, completed individually or in groups, depending on the activity): 40% of the final grade.
  • Continuous assessment: class participation, participation in debates, text commentaries, and other scheduled activities: 10% of the final grade.

Important considerations

  • To pass the course, students must obtain a weighted average of at least 5 out of 10, both for the overall course grade and for the weighted average of the two examinations.
  • Classroom assignments cannot be resat. Students who fail to participate in an assignment, except in cases of force majeure, will receive a grade of 0 for that assignment. Where a duly justified and documented case of force majeure exists, the weight of the missed assignment will be redistributed among the remaining assignments; no alternative assessment will be offered.
  • Both midterm examinations may be resat. Resit examinations will take place at the end of the semester on the dates established by the Faculty. The maximum grade obtainable in a resit examination is 7/10.
  • Students who complete less than 50% of the assessment components will receive the final status of "Not Assessed".
  • The first midterm examination will take place during the semester on a date announced by the instructor well in advance. The second midterm examination will be held at the end of the semester on the date established by the Faculty and announced with sufficient notice.
  • The dates for classroom assignments and other assessment activities will be specified in the course schedule (see the Virtual Campus).

Single assessment

Students who have requested single assessment within the established deadline and according to the required procedure may opt for a single assessment, consisting of:

  • a written examination (60% of the final grade), and
  • a practical assignment (40% of the final grade).

This assessment will take place at the end of the semester on the same date scheduled by the Faculty for the final examination of the continuous assessment system and will be announced well in advance.

If the student does not pass the assessment (a grade below 5 out of 10), the examination component may be resat on the dates established by the Faculty. The practical assignment cannot be resat.

Bibliography

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

This bibliography includes a selection of books, book chapters, articles and pages that will help the student follow the program. As far as possible, a bibliography has been collected in English, which will be prioritized in the group in which the subject is taught in this language.

The student will have materials (documents, chronologies, articles) for detailed monitoring of the course on the virtual campus. The teaching staff will advise students throughout the course on the specific bibliography most appropriate for each subject.

Basic/Compulsory readings

One of those books (selection of chapters) depending on the linguistic skills of the student:

  • Beneyto Pérez, José Ma (2023) Política Exterior Española. Madrid: Tecnos 
  • Garcia Cantalapiedra, D.i Pacheco Pardo, R. (Eds.) (2014), Contemporary Spanish Foreign Policy  Routledge
  • Muro, D & Lago, I (2020) The Oxford Handbook of Spanish Politics, Oxford University Press (especialment el bloc VII: The International arena, cap. 38-41).
  • Pereira, J.C., La política exterior de España. De 1800 hasta la actualidad, Barcelona: Ariel, 2010

And those articles:

  • Gustavsson, J. (1999) “How Should We Study Foreign Policy Change?” Cooperation and Conflict, vol. 34, no. 1, 1999, pp. 73–95. http://www.jstor.org/stable/45083937.

  • Hermann, Charles F. (1990) “Changing Course: When Governments Choose to Redirect Foreign Policy.” International Studies Quarterly, vol. 34, no. 1, 1990, pp. 3–2, https://doi.org/10.2307/2600403.
  • Soler i Lecha, E., Barbé, E. (2021). “Spanish Foreign Policy: Navigating Global Shifts and Domestic Crises”. In: Joly, J.K., Haesebrouck, T. (eds) Foreign Policy Change in Europe Since 1991. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi-org.are.uab.cat/10.1007/978-3-030-68218-7_11

 

Additional bibliography: 

General:

Beneyto, J.M. i Pereira, J.C. (2011) Política exterior española: Un balance de futuro, ,Mardid: Biblioteca Nueva: 2011

Gillespie, R., Rodrigo, F., & Story, J. (1995). Democratic Spain: Reshaping External Relations in a Changing World. Routledge. (també disponible en castellà amb el títol Las Relaciones exteriores de la España democrática publicat per Alianza)

Gillespie, R. i Youngs, R. (eds.) (2001) Spain: The European and International challenges, Londres: Frank Cass,

Morán, F. (1980). Una política exterior para España. Planeta.

 

Bibliography for Block I

Hudson, Valerie M. (2005) “Foreign Policy Analysis: Actor-Specific Theory and the Ground of International Relations.” Foreign Policy Analysis, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1–30. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24907278. Accessed 15 June 2023.

Putnam, Robert D. (1988) “Diplomacy and Domestic Politics: The Logic of Two-Level Games.” International Organization, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 427–60, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2706785.

 

Bibliography for block II

Balfour, S. i Preston,P., (1999) Spain and the great powers in the XXth century, Routledge

Barbé, E. (1990). La transición española: Cambio y continuidad en la política exterior y de seguridad. Papers Revista de Sociologia, 33, 103–120.

Cortada, J. W. (ed.), Spain in the Twentieth- Century World. Essays on Spanish Diplomacy, 1898- 1978. London: Aldwich Press, 1980.

Mesa, R. (1988). Democracia y Política Exterior. Ediciones de la Universidad Complutense.

 

Bibliography for block III

Aixalà, A. (2005). La política exterior española ante los retos de su politización: del consenso a la legitimidad. Revista CIDOB d’Afers Internacionals, 69, 89–105.

Del Arenal, C. (2008). Consenso y disenso en la política exterior de España. Real Instituto Elcano Working Paper Series, 25, 1–34.

Mesa, R. (1988). Democracia y Política Exterior. Ediciones de la Universidad Complutense.

Mesa, R., \"El proceso de toma de decisiones en política exterior\", Documentación Administrativa, núm. 205, 1985, pp.143-162. https://revistasonline.inap.es/index.php/DA/article/view/4868/4922.

Molina, I. i Rodrigo, F. \"Las transformaciones organizativas de la política exterior española\", Revista de Estudios Políticos, Nº 17, Julio-Septiembre 2002, pp. 173-220. https://dialnet-unirioja-es.are.uab.cat/servlet/articulo?codigo=272251.

 

Bibliography for block IV

Ayuso, A. (2014). The Recent History of Spain-Latin America Relations. In D. Garcia Cantalapiedra & R. Pacheco Pardo (Eds.), Contemporary Spanish Foreign Policy (pp. 106–130). Routledge.

Barbé, E. (1999). La política europea de España. Ariel.

Barbé, E. (2011). Spain and Europe. Mutual Reinforcement in Foreign Policy. In R. Wong & C. Hill (Eds.), National and European Foreign Policies (pp. 131–148). Routledge.

Barbé, E. (2022) “La europeización de la política exterior: Un “buen alumno” en Arregui, J. (ed), La europeización de las políticas públicas en España. Oportunidades y desafíos McGraw Hill. Available in English: https://repositori.upf.edu/bitstream/handle/10230/54208/Arregui_euro.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y 

Closa, C. (Ed.). (2001). La europeización del sistema político español. Istmo

Del Arenal, C. (2011). Política exterior de España y relaciones con América Latina iberoamericanidad, europeización y atlantismo en la política exterior española. Fundación Carolina.

Hernando de Larramendi, M. (2009). The Mediterranean Policy of Spain. In I. Schäffer & J.-R. Henry (Eds.), Mediterranean Policies from Above and Below (pp. 38–62). Nomos

Hernando de Larramendi, M.& Mañé Estrada, A (Eds.) (2009), La política exterior española hacia el Magreb. Actores e Intereses (pp. 37–59). Ariel/Real Instituto Elcano.

Olivié, I., & Pérez, A. (2019a). Dónde está la ayuda española? Análisis del Real Instituto Elcano, 49, 21–33.

Olivié, I., & Pérez, A. (2019b). Spain: The Rise and Fall of a Compliant Donor. In I. Olivié & A. Pérez (Eds.), Aid Power and Politics (pp. 131–148). Routledge.

Pérez, A. (2018). La ayuda internacional de gobiernos subnacionales y el caso particular de España. Real Instituto Elcano Working paper, 3, 1–58.

Piedrafita, S., Steinberg, F., & Torreblanca, J. I. (2007). The Europeanisation of Spain (1986–2006). Real Instituto Elcano Working Paper, 39, 1–12.

Piqué, J. (2001). Nuevas fronteras de la política exterior de España. Política Exterior, 15(79), 57–70.

Powell, C. T. (2001). España en democracia, 1975–2000. Plaza y Janés.

Powell, C. T. (2012). The Pain in Spain Madrid and the European Financial Crisis. In T. Couloumbis et al. (Eds.), Southern Europe in Trouble Domestic and Foreign Policy Challenges of the Financial Crisis (pp. 15–39). Istituto Affari Internazionali.

Sanahuja, J. A. (2012). Europeización y preferencia latinoamericana: dilemas y opciones para la cooperación española. Temas para el Debate, 215, 18–21.

Sanahuja, J. A. (2013). Spain: Double Track Europeanization, and the Search for Bilateralism. In L. Ruano (Ed.), The Europeanization of National Foreign Policies Towards Latin America (pp. 36–61). Routledge.

Soler i Lecha, E., & Morillas, P. (2020). Middle Power with Maghreb Focus: A Spanish Perspective on Security Policy in the Southern Neighbourhood. Fredrich Ebert Stiftung. Sotillo, J. Á. (2014). La política exterior y la política de cooperación: paradojas del caso español. Comillas Journal of International Relations, 1, 117–131.

Vaquer i Fanés, J. (2014). Spain in the Mediterranean and the Middle East; the Quest for Security and Status. In D. Garcia Cantalapiedra & R. Pacheco Pardo (Eds.), Contemporary Spanish Foreign Policy (pp. 131–150). Routledge.

 

Strategic documents:

Government of Spain (2021) Foreign Action Strategy 2021-2024 / 2021-2023 Foreign Action Strategy, available in Spanish and English at https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/Comunicacion/Noticias/Paginas/Noticias/20210128_MINISTERIO13.aspx

Government of Spain (2021). National Security Strategy 2021 (also available in Catalan and English) at: https://www.dsn.gob.es/es/estrategias-publicaciones/estrategias/estrategia-seguridad-nacional-2017

Think-tanks and specialized information portals

Software

No specific programme is needed to follow and pass the subject, beyond the knowledge of the Moodle tool.

Course groups and languages

The information provided is provisional until November 30. After this date, you will be able to consult the language of each group through this link. To access the information, you will need to enter the course CODE

Type of teaching Group Language Semester Shift
(TE) Theory 1 English first semester morning-mixed
(PAUL) Classroom practices 1 English first semester morning-mixed
(TE) Theory 51 Spanish second semester afternoon
(PAUL) Classroom practices 51 Spanish second semester afternoon