Abstract
The kings of the Austria dynasty used widely the sale of offices with the purpose of arbitrating resources for their hegemonical politics. Through the analysis of this sales we have been able to settle down the serious economic and social consequences they brought as well as the institutional opposition generated. The process of patrimonialization of the public thing and the oligarchic way taken by the municipalities propitiated abuses and corruption, causing the complete degradation of the municipal institution. For the highest layer of the nobility, it supposed a statement of their power and his dignificacion as a class. To satisfy their longings of power the nobility will invest in offices, dominions and taxes («alcabalas») sold by the kings. While the Crown obtains about 300.000 ducados from the sale of offices, the investment in unproductive goods and the inmobilization of the capitals of the nobility caused a lack of wealth creation in Asturias. The expense of the dominant class adquiring habits and titles as well as his luxury and ostentation, they act in the same sense. In addition, the costs of cases, rescues and consumption of offices produced the indebtedness of the municipalities and, together with other forms of fiscal pressure, an important social cost.
Highlights
The kings of the Austria dynasty used widely the sale ofofftcess with the purpose of arbitrating resources for their hegemonical politics
While the Crown obtains about 300.000 ducados from the sale of offices, the investment in unproductive goods and the inmobilization of the capitals of the nobility caused a lack of wealth creation in Asturias
The costs of cases, rescues and consumption of offices produced the indebtedness of the municipalities and, together with other forms of fiscal pressure, an important social cost
Summary
Es importante conocer cómo se gobernaban los concejos asturianos antes de 1544, fecha de comienzo de la venta de oficios, ya que es un referente básico para evaluar los cambios habidos posteriormente. Sabemos por diversas informaciones que, al menos en algunos concejos, aún existían «parcialidades» en la segunda mitad del siglo XVI y que el propio Felipe II procuró vender los regimientos, tanto en los años sesenta como en los ochenta, haciendo un reparto entre los diversos bandos existentes. Pedía informes a los corregidores sobre posibles oficios a enajenar, precios y personas a quienes se podían vender.[28] El Consejo de Hacienda se informaba de los cargos que ya iban vendidos en un municipio y los precios de los mismos y, tras consulta de los Libros de la Razón, decidía nuevas ventas y fijaba los precios, aprobando o no los solicitados por algunos particulares. Domínguez Ortiz considera que, en general, apenas debió aplicarse esta cédula por confabulación de los corregidores con los interesados[31]
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