Talk:Provincial deputation (Spain)

Deputation or Council

I would like to suggest that the term Deputation should be replaced with Provincial Council in this and other pages that refer to Deputations. Not only is a deputation a very different thing in English, but there are ample examples in linguee from Europe and from the Diputaciones themselves (when they have an English page) to use the term "Provincial Council". This new term will communicate the meaning much more succinctly than the otherwise meaningless "deputation". Granted it is an unusual concept for anglo saxons more used to only 3 tiers of government, so could be explained in this page.

Thoughts?

Peter Brew (talk) 22:56, 15 June 2019 (UTC)

That name does not communicate "the meaning much more succinctly" as it overlaps the institution with one of its parts, the plenary council (that's a knock on WP:PRECISE).--Asqueladd (talk) 01:54, 16 June 2019 (UTC)

If that's the case, you may be right. However the only reference I can find to plenary council refer to the Catholic Church. Can you send me a link to something about the plenary council of a deputation?

I am driven primarily by WP:NAMINGCRITERIA and particularly Recognisability. If we are trying to communicate with an English speaking audience then with their understanding of political divisions, I think Provincial Council is much more recognisable. Deputation in English is another meaning altogether, to do with a delegation.

I am also driven by WP:COMMONNAME. I find lots of references to Provincial Council including: https://www.gipuzkoa.eus/en/web/council, ""Spain Info""., the third paragraph of "Migrations" (PDF)., and also "House Museum of Antequera". which uses both the Spanish and English in the opening paragraph. Page 155 of this book from Liverpool University is another example: ""Cultural Responses to Myths of Empire"" (PDF).

"Regional Council" is also sometimes used, and this could work, but sounds a little more like France to me. Anglo countries don't tend to have Regions as a political division. I've seen also District Council.

But perhaps the best reference is Article 141 of the Spanish Constitution which uses "Provincial Council" "Constitution" (PDF). as published but the Boletín Oficial del Estado.

What do you think?

Peter Brew (talk) 20:18, 16 June 2019 (UTC)

Do you need a link sourcing what? The plenary council being a part of the diputation? [1] The deputation being more than the deliberative assembly? The use of provincial deputation? [2][3][4] The deputation is a corporation (sp: corporación local), an organic body. If the use of "provincial council" (which indeed it is also used) leads a native English speaker to think the deputation is just the "deliberative assembly", that's a proof that the term it is actually misleading and lacking in precision.--Asqueladd (talk) 22:55, 16 June 2019 (UTC)

Good point. I understand your confusion: the word council has many meanings and can indeed mean something like a plenary in some contexts. However I can tell you that in the context of government, councils in the English speaking world always consist of an executive and president (eg a mayor) and a deliberative body or assembly (consistent with the principle of the separation of powers) in the same way as the diputaciones provinciales. So here’s a suggestion: we adopt the term “Provincial Council” and properly describe it as a governing body of the province, being made up of both the plenary and an administrative committee composed of the president and a number of deputies (or vice presidents). That would address both our needs and concerns. I think the fact that the official translation by the Spanish Government of the Constitution is overwhelming evidence that Provincial Council is the best term. I can also add to the functions section which in addition to what is on the page, have more information in the excellent report you sent me. I'd also like to add some more detail to how they're elected. I believe it is the result of D'Hondt distribution of the municipal elections. Do you have more info on it? Peter Brew (talk) 13:52, 17 June 2019 (UTC)

There is no "separation of powers" at the local level in Spain as local corporations can legislate shit (other than passing bylaws). You seem to think british standards seamlessly translate to everywhere. That's not necessarily the case. In addition, Spain falls in between the British tradition of local entities as "local government" and the French tradition of local entities as "local administration", so the local (i.e. provincial and municipal) corporate entities in Spain are entrusted with both "government and administration".--Asqueladd (talk) 22:33, 17 June 2019 (UTC)

Of course the British (or US or AU or NZ or CA or Indian) standards don't apply in Spain at all. Why would anyone think so? I was referring to Councils in the Anglo tradition only to explain that I understand why there could be confusion with the term "council" as you pointed out. My point is really, that in order to explain the Spanish system to someone from an Anglo tradition, we can point out the differences. If I knew about the Slavic or Chinese or Nordic or Inuit traditions I could write an interpretation to them too but someone else will need to do that. I realise that the French model is of fundamental importance in Spain for obvious historical reasons. Do you have some information on the detail of how the deputies are elected? I'd like to add some more detail. Peter Brew (talk) 21:01, 20 June 2019 (UTC)