Methodological Model for Studying the Spanish Political Mentality

DOI: 10.33917/es-3.201.2025.14-21

Spanish political mentality is a historically determined, multidimensional and systemic result of a long multi-ethnic and transcivilizational process. To study it, a methodological concept of imprinting was used, which was firstly substantiated within the framework of the present study. The article formulates the concept of the imprinting-suggestion phenomenon, the basic structural elements of which are represented primarily by epochal political events, as well as great cultural figures and outstanding governors. Taking into account these invariant predictors, critical periods in the history of Spain that influenced the course of its political mentalization are discussed. Based on methodological potential of the imprinting concept, its root sources — romanization and christianization — are revealed. The article examines the evolution specifics of polymentality in Moorish Spain, emergence of Spanish Catholicism and significance of the Reconquista in forming the foundations of the Spanish mentality. These and other key moments in the history of the Kingdom of Spain from this perspective are still awaiting their researchers. The final section provides an analytical review of the philosophical and theological principles of the Spanish political mentality.

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