The story Payne tells is one of immense potential squandered by deep-seated divisions. He highlights several key themes:
: Rather than a single event, Payne describes a "progressive collapse" fueled by political violence and the inability of leaders to treat opponents as anything other than enemies to be annihilated. Critical Interpretations Stanley G Payne. La primera democracia espanola...
: The Republic began with radical energy, attempting massive reforms in education, military affairs, and church-state relations. The story Payne tells is one of immense