3. Spain through Anthropological Lenses

The anthropological studies of Spain are relatively numerous as the country's history is a long standing one. As part of the old continent (Europe), Spain has attracted the attention of numerous researchers throughout the past century, and even prior to this time. The information covered in the anthropological studies of the southwestern European country cover vast topics of interest and has a dual feature -- first of all, it helps the foreigner (and sometimes even the native born Spanish) to become better acquainted with the country itself; secondly, it helps the national and international reader to more accurately position Spain on the map of the international system.

Anthropology will explain how the today modern Kingdom of Spain was first inhabited 30,000 ago by Paleolithic hunters; how the first villages were formed around 4500 BC and how these were organized around a central tomb and the types of people that lived in these settlings. The reader and researcher will also be informed of the arrival of the Celts in the 6th century BC and the relationship between Spain and the Roman Empire during the 3rd century BC and the 5th century AD. The Visigoth kingdoms also made their presence felt throughout the 5th up to the 8th century AD. Anthropological studies will then reveal the succession of monarchical dynasties and the numerous wars and battles fought for various reasons (History World). All these pieces information will help the foreigner better comprehend the country, its political stand, its people and its traditions.

But aside the presentation of the past events, anthropology will also reveal the modern features of Spain, of the utmost importance being the role Spain places in the current processes of globalization. Spain is one of the most sought European countries for immigrants in less developed economies....

By opening its boarders to these immigrants, Spain plays a vital part in the transition of labor force from one location to the other and the progressive elimination of territorial boundaries. Spain benefits significantly from the comparative advantage of other countries, such as cost-effective labor force and the most relevant example in this sense is the offering of millions of jobs to the Moroccan and Romanian immigrants. Also, anthropologic studies will reveal that Spain has signed various agreements with international institutions, such as the International Monetary Fund, which promote the forces of globalization. What has yet to be mentioned is that Spain was and remains a highly nationalist country and their approach to globalization is a promotional one as long as they get to impose their own traditions. The reverse of the situation, in which other values (such as those of the United States) would be imposed upon the southwestern country are seldom accepted. The most relevant example in this sense is the relatively limited knowledge and usage of the English language in Spain.
All in all, anthropology is much more that generally recognized and it plays more than a historic role. In the rapidly changing society of today, anthropological studies help us connect with the culture, politics and economics of other global regions.