Alfaro Fernando Romeu, Las clases trabajadoras en España (1898–1930). Madrid: Taurus Ediciones, S.A. 1970. 221 pp.

Abstract

it was Besteiro who remained as representative of the defunct republic. Fated to die in prison, the moderate socialist academician responded to requests that he save himself with the phrase: "I shall remain here; what becomes of them shall become of me." The study is well documented and, given the methodological difficulties involved in trying to do justice to the ideas without sacrificing the man and his historical milieu, Lamo de Espinosa presents a critical analysis of a leader and a movement. At times the book dwells at great length on some very fine points of Besteiro's intellectual development. But it fails to give the same kind of indepth examination to Besteiro's leadership, or his interaction with other key figures of the times (e.g. Francisco Giner de los Rios, Fernando de los Rios). A clearer idea of Besteiro's activities as a member of parliament as well as an examination of his actions as head of the UGT (socialist labor union) are needed in order to see precisely how his philosophical-political development affected his actions. Also such an analysis would show how those political positions likewise influenced the evolution of his ideas. Lamos de Espinosa restricts himself to an explanation of how Besteiro's past explains the nature of his ideas at the time of his death. In this respect the author is successful.