Spanish Sociology at the Turn of the Century

Sociology is the latecomer in Spanish social sciences. Th first chair of sociology was created in 1898. It was filled by Manuel Sales i Ferré. Sociology in Spain has had, since that date, an eventful and uneven history. After a period of steady development it suffered a serious trauma under Franco's dictatorship, which decimated a brilliant generation of Spanish intellectuals through political persecution, imprisonment, exile and death. Political life only returned to normal after 1975. This was a prerequisite for the institutionalisation of Spanish intellectual life. Today, the discipline of sociology has fully established itself in the intellectual spgere of Spain, as well as in its economic life, its politics and its culture. It also exercises an impoprtant influence upon public opinion in the country.Peer reviewe