Federalism and the Spanish First Democratic Republic, 1873-1874

Federal theory is experiencing new momentum in connection with contemporary political challenges such as the crisis of the nation-state and ethnic and cultural minorities that claim recognition and political autonomy. The present article presents a critical discussion on the principles that were enshrined in the Project of a Federal Constitution of the Spanish Republic of 1873 and the events that led to the first Democratic Republic in Spain, in order to highlight some basic tenets of federalism. The article is divided into four parts. Firstly, a general introduction to the paper is provided. The second part offers some methodological clarifications with regard to federal studies. Thirdly, the discussion takes place in two separate sections: the first one presents the events that led the proclamation of the first Democratic Republic in Spain in 1873; the second delivers a critical analysis of the federal principles that were enshrined in the Project of a Federal Constitution of the Spanish Republic of 1873. Finally, to conclude, two different principles are contrasted in relation to contemporary debates that arise in connection with the European Union and multicultural states: the principle of citizenship and the principle of cultural communities.