Colonial Legacies: How Spanish and British Rule still influence Modern Governance

Introduction

Ever wondered why do countries that gained independence centuries ago still carry forward their colonial legacies? 

Well, the end of colonies didn’t mean the end of imperial influence. Across the Global South, republics like India and those in Latin America still maintain the system of governance, law, and social hierarchies created during the colonial era.

These legacies are not only historic, but they also shape elections, democratic institutions, and governance. It’s crucial to know that both the British and Spanish empires followed very different governance models, however, both left perpetual marks: one emphasized a parliamentary and bureaucratic structure, the other emphasized centralised power and rigid social hierarchies.

Through a comparison of Indian and Latin American colonial trajectories, it’s clear just how much colonialism continues in the modern states.

Colonial Models

(1) The British Raj

British Raj in India followed a distinctive governance model that was highly centralized. They didn’t govern the vast Indian subcontinent alone, they relied on Princes, Zamindars, and Local elites (the existing hierarchies). These rulers retained agency, but under the shadow of the British administration. This system of ‘indirect rule’ accounted for the political dominance of the empire with little use of manpower. Everything from land management, tax collection, and social order was entrusted to the local hierarchies. 

Besides this, The British introduced institutions like the Indian Civil Service (ICS) to mould India's political landscape, The ICS mainly for British officials at first, became the epitome of professionalism and bureaucracy of the administrative system. The common legal system based on British law sought to standardize justice in India, through inclination towards colonial rulers and undermined traditional needs and justice systems. The British parliamentary tradition was a controlled experiment in ‘limited representation’, but became the founding stone of India’s democratic structure post independence, for example the First Past The Post voting system is used in both Britain and India. 

The colonial innovations marked the Indian legal system, with many laws being perpetuated throughout the decades. Some, like the sedition law or restrictive press regulations, are still controversial since they don’t reflect the needs and values of today’s society. Bureaucratic culture by the ICS has been seen as rigid, hierarchical, and slow to adapt, despite its capacity and continuity.

For the British the primary goal was never to democratize India but to set up imperial rule. Their very institutions gave Indian leaders tools to mobilize against colonialism and begin the chapter of Indian independence. The entrenched system of control sowed the seeds of democratic governance, which is still seen in India’s political and legal system.

(1) The Spanish Colonialism

In contrast to the British empire’s usage of indirect administration, Spanish colonialism was rather fascist and controlled through the crown. The Spanish monarch used a centralised system managed by viceroys, who were royal authorities of territories like New Spain (Mexico) and Peru. This system reduced local autonomy in every aspect, which was then tied to Madrid. THi system became ingrained in Latin American political culture, shaping the way authority saw even after independence. 

One major feature of Spanish rule was the Iberian civil law tradition, which emphasized statues and written rules over judicial precedents. This legacy continues today in most Latin American countries — civil law dominates and moulds jurisprudence. The law often reflects colonial hierarchies: privileges Spanish elites and marginalizes indigenous communities in society. In Uruguay, it used to be considered that indigenous communities were extinct, they have no political representation or even basic legal access.

Religion is another factor towards Spanish governance. The Catholic Church was a spiritual, political, and economic power. The clergy was involved in education and regulation of daily life. It enforced Spanish rule, and advanced culture assimilation, from the spread of Spanish and suppression of all thoughts of indigenous culture. Post independence, the Church is still fueling debates on education, secularism, and the role of religion in politics.

The Spanish societies had a rigid racial and class hierarchy. The top was secured for the Spaniards born in Spain, known as peninsulares. They were followed by criollos, Spaniards born in the Americas, who then became the leaders of independence movements. Below them were mixed-race people like mestizos, indigenous communities, and slaves, who had limited or no political rights. This model entrenched inequality even after independence. The divisions explain why many Latin American countries have struggled with equitable governance and constitutions.

Political Legacies

British colonialism left India with the Westminster parliamentary system, which focused on representative democracy, politics, and the rule of law. This created a stable framework for governance post independence, but was a red tape due to bureaucratic inefficiency.

By contrast, Spanish colonies in Latin America continued to follow centralised political institutions and authority. This, along with the legacy of caudillismo, or rule by strongmen, created weaker checks and balances, along with political instability. In India, democracy has sustained since 1947, but many Latin American nations experienced authoritarian regimes, fascism, and coups through the 20th century.

Economic Legacies

In India, the British reshaped the economy to serve imperial interests. They built vast communication systems, railways, and plantations that facilitated resource extraction. Trade policies focused on Britain, and left behind the structural inequalities post independence. 

In Latin America, the Spanish established the hacienda system, which concentrated land in the hands of the elite and exploited the indigenous and enslaved labour. In regions like Mexico and Bolivia, extractive silver mining was reinforced. Both these models left an indelible mark on the racial and post colonial democratic structures.

Social and Cultural Legacies

British rule in India reshaped society through the spread of English language, modern educational institutions over the traditional Indian system, and codification of religious personal laws. These policies led to a sense of pluralism and reinforced divisions in society. 

In Latin America, Spanish colonization created Catholicism as the dominant faith. Catholicism had the ability to influence policies, education, and social life. The emphasis on racial hierarchies created a sense of inequality, though mixing of cultures and identities later became a defining feature of Latin American communities.

Modern Governance Examples

Today, India retains a majority of colonial institutions, from the strong judiciary and press to the parliamentary debates. Yet, the bureaucracy focused around the Indian Civil Service is criticized for corruption and inefficiency rooted in its system. 

In Latin America, presidential democracies are vulnerable to populist leaders and institutional instability. The Catholic Church still holds influence in debates on social issues, and still challenges rule of law that follows the fascist colonial regimes. Both the regions, India and Latin America, continue to face issues with the colonial system and their decolonisation adaptations, in the process of creating an inclusive and representative model for their vast populations. 

Conclusion

Colonial legacies continue to shape governance. The British and Spanish rule have left behind distinct political, legal, and social systems that are not easy to erase, but are being reshaped. Have these marks left by colonisers influenced the mindset of youth today? That’s something we will look into in the next blog!