The system of social-economic partnership in Spain

The elaboration begins with brief characteristic of the political system and economy during the dictatorship of general Franco. The experience of several years of civil war and the imposed several tens of dictatorship had the an essential influence on the rise and development of social economic partnership in Spain. Its beginnings are connected with the need to solve difficult problems of the political crisis following the death of general Franco and the economic and social problems caused by the world fuel crisis of the seventies. In the paper there are presented both the organizations and institutions of the social economic partners (trade union organizations, Spanish Confederation of the Organization of Employers, chambers of commerce and the institution of mediation, arbitration and agreements), and also different forms of action of the system of social economic partnership (pacts, arrangements and agreements) and the action of opinion forming partner institutions (Economic and Social Council and regional economic and social councils). The Spanish system of social economic partnership functions in different forms and on different levels. It busies itself with economic and social problems not only general domestic but also regional and provincial, sectoral and particular enterprises. In the paper there are distinguished three stages in hitherto functioning of the system of social economic partnership. The first stage (1977–1986), initiated by the Moncloa Pact, is characterised by very intensive negotiations and fruitful agreements both an economic and social as well as political matters. In the second stage (1987–1994) we observe a crisis of the system of social economic partnership and the general country level. In the first stage beginning in 1995 the dialogue of the social economic partners returns, new agreements are concluded. The Pact of Toledo has the greatest significance among them.
The system of social economic partnership in Spain contributes not only to the solving of difficult and important economic, social and political problems but it is also a school of the democracy and the education forum in economic and social matters.