The Economic Societies of “Amigos del País” in Andalusia

Abstract

The Economic Societies are one of the most interesting and best known achievements of the Spanish Enlightenment. Andalusia, a region of great vitality during the eghteenth century, was well to the fore of Enlightened reforming activity: a third of the Economic Societies were set up in this region. This article is a study of the Andalusian Economic Societies as a whole, focusing in particular on the steps to their creation, their social composition, internal organisation and especially on their achievements, in the fields both of the economy and of education. It sums up the state of historical enquiry on the subject to date, and will be of value to all students of the eighteenth century.