‘Liberalism is the mockery of the unfortunate. It proclaims marvellous rights.

‘Freedom of thought, freedom to propagate ideas, freedom of work, but these rights are mere luxuries for the favoured ones of fortune.

‘The poor, in a Liberal regime, may not be bludgeoned into working, but they are starved out.

‘The isolated workman, possessed of every sort of right on paper, has to choose between dying of starvation and accepting the terms the capitalist offers him, however hard they may be.

‘Under the Liberal system, the cruel irony could be seen of men and women working themselves to skeletons, twelve hours a day, for a miserable wage, and yet being assured by the law that they were free men and women. José Antonio Primo de Rivera

So, who was José Antonio Primo de Rivera (1903–1936)?

Founder of the Spanish Falange, lawyer, and one of the most influential figures in the early development of Spanish fascism.

Early Life and Background

Born 24 April 1903 in Madrid, he was the son of Miguel Primo de Rivera, the military leader who ruled Spain from 1923 to 1930.

Trained as a lawyer and became involved in politics during the turbulent years of the Second Spanish Republic.

Trained as a lawyer and became involved in politics during the turbulent years of the Second Spanish Republic.

Founder of the Falange

In October 1933, he created Falange Española, a movement inspired by European fascism. Its ideology combined:

Authoritarian nationalism, anti-liberal, and anti‑Marxist positions

National‑syndicalism (a corporatist economic model), A strong emphasis on unity, hierarchy, and national identity. He served briefly as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Cádiz.

Arrest and Ritual Slaying

When the Spanish Civil War broke out in July 1936, Primo de Rivera was already imprisoned by the far-left Marxist regime.

He was charged with conspiracy and military rebellion and was slain by firing squad on 20 November 1936 in Alicante, aged 33.

Role in Francoist Spain

Although he died early in the conflict, the Franco authority elevated him to martyrdom. His writings and speeches were used symbolically. El Ausente (The Absent One) became a common title for him. Let us hear your comments.

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