which we usually chart Western Euro- pean history-Renaissance and Reformation, Enlightenment and Industrialization-seem largely inapplicable to Spain. Its tradition has been one of isolationism driven some form of authoritarian rule and stiffened by a powerful Catholic Church. This has earned Spain a repu- tation for stagnation and backwardness, one that for much of its history it has deserved.

But Spain has not always lagged behind its neighbors to the northeast. It was, after all, the first n...