Gobierno municipal y venta de oficios en la Asturias de los siglos XVI y XVII

Abstract

The kings of the Austria dynasty used widely the sale of offices with the purpose of arbitrating resources for their hegemonical politics. Through the analysis of this sales we have been able to settle down the serious economic and social consequences they brought as well as the institutional opposition generated. The process of patrimonialization of the public thing and the oligarchic way taken by the municipalities propitiated abuses and corruption, causing the complete degradation of the municipal institution. For the highest layer of the nobility, it supposed a statement of their power and his dignificación as a class. To satisfy their longings of power the nobility will invest in offices, dominions and taxes («alcabalas») sold by the kings. While the Crown obtains about 300.000 ducados from the sale of offices, the investment in unproductive goods and the inmobilization of the capitals of the nobility caused a lack of wealth creation in Asturias. The expense of the dominant class adquiring habits and titles as well as his luxury and ostentation, they act in the same sense. In addition, the costs of cases, rescues and consumption of offices produced the indebtedness of the municipalities and, together with other forms of fiscal pressure, an important social cost.