Shaping the rules of the game: Spanish capitalism and the publishing industry under dictatorship (1939–1975)

Abstract

This article examines the development of Spanish capitalism under Franco’s dictatorship (1939–1975) through the interaction between two major actors: the book publishing industry, a fast growing and internationally minded sector, and the Spanish Government. We argue that Spanish publishers, by defending their interests and redefining their strategies in an extremely restrictive and vulnerable environment, strengthened their coordinating capacities while shaping Spain’s economic institutions. The main conclusion of this empirical study is that engaged and/or legitimacy seeking actors can effectively contribute to change the rules of the economic game. We contend that this ability of entrepreneurial actors to shape the rules over time needs to be better integrated into the VOC theoretical framework.