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Paper short abstract

This study examines how Spain’s lack of public remembrance for the Francoist dictatorship fuels political polarization and supports far-right movements, linking historical amnesia to contemporary fascist tendencies through archival research and ethnographic insight.

Paper long abstract

This research investigates the political consequences of Spain’s “pact of forgetting” and the absence of structured public memory policies regarding the Francoist dictatorship and Civil War. While historical memory has been widely studied, this project contributes an original perspective by connecting gaps in collective remembrance to contemporary political polarization and the rise of far-right movements such as VOX.

Using a combination of qualitative content analysis of legislation, archival material, media sources, and interviews, the study examines how historical amnesia is experienced, interpreted, and mobilized by political actors and communities. It considers public commemorations, party documents, and policy debates to understand how unresolved historical trauma shapes democratic consolidation and ideological polarization.

By framing Spain’s case within global discussions of post-authoritarian memory politics, this research aligns with the panel’s focus on the intertwinement of ethnography and fascism. It demonstrates how ethnographic approaches can reveal the everyday manifestations of fascist tendencies, showing that the absence of public remembrance is not only a historical or political issue but also a social phenomenon that shapes collective identity and political mobilization.

Ultimately, the study highlights the enduring impact of forgotten legacies, offering insights into how unresolved histories can foster conditions conducive to contemporary far-right resurgence and the broader challenges of reconciling democratic memory with authoritarian pasts.