Miguel Primo de Rivera

Contrary to traditional interpretations that define him as a folksy man, without a clear ideology and promoter of a paternalistic dictatorship far removed from Italian fascism, this work describes a cunning, ambitious politician with very few scruples, who promoted a nationalist regime , authoritarian and deeply repressive in line with the rest of the contemporary European dictatorships. Primo de Rivera was the creator of right-wing populism in Spain by denouncing professional politicians as corrupt and parasitic elites of the nation, organizing political communication based on fake news, and presenting himself as the messianic leader who would carry out the will of the people. After more than two decades of research, Alejandro Quiroga offers us a fascinating study of a contradictory, convulsive and complex man, time and place: a fundamental work for understanding not only the history of Spain in the last century, but also key factors in contemporary politics such as populism and nationalism.