The Spanish Habsburgs and Their Enemies: Faith, Diplomacy and Incest, 1516-1700

Conference in English.

Abstract

Empires defined:

• Jane Burbank and Frederick Cooper, Empires in world history. Power and the politics of difference (Princeton, 2010)

The "accidental empire" of the Spanish Habsburgs and its problems

• The four inheritances of Charles V (1516-56): Austria; Burgundy; Castile; Aragon
• Philip II (1556-98): "Non sufficit orbis"
• Problematic inheritance, or probematic monarchs?

Poisoned chalices

• Sub-imperial agendas ("Obedezco pero no cumplo")
• Distance: Public Enemy Number 1

Information overload

• The transition from delegation to micro-management
• Taking refuge in "menudencias" (trivia)

The special challenge of wartime:

• Robert McNamara and "A blizzard of problems"
• Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

Domino Theories and Blind Faith

• Trading land for peace: Archdukes Albert and Isabella (1598-1621)
• Waiting for miracles

The rising "incest coefficient

• Sowing the seeds of your own destruction