Administration an politics in the 18th century: the state departments

Abstract

It is aimed to point out, through the analysis of a personification, some of the internal characteristics of the State Department in the 18 th century that affect its institutional evolution and the social profile of its civil servants as well. The specialization in different ministries is not only considered as a formal question, but it is also related to political problems of various extents. Some of these problems, such as the unifier role of the State Department and the possible instauration of a board of cabinet ministers, affect the collective functioning. Other problems, such as the organization of the issues in the Indies or the trouble of competence between the ministry of Justice and the Council of Castile have much to do with the territorial and governmental model of the monarchy. Regarding the civil servants, their differentiated profile from other institutions is to be stressed. This is due to their internal hierarchy and cohesion as well as their specific training, which is although compatible with keeping strong familiar and regional links. Situated between the lawyers belonging to the nobility and the administrative bourgeoisie, these civil servants are an interesting group to the study of social changes.