Masters and Slaves in Empty Spain: A Philosophical–Political Reading of Rural Depopulation

ABSTRACT Rural depopulation in Spain reveals not only demographic decline but also the persistence of unequal power structures. Drawing on the classical elite theories of Pareto, Mosca, and Michels, alongside Hegel's master–slave dialectic, this article offers a socio‐philosophical and political interpretation of the phenomenon. The case of Aguaviva illustrates how repopulation policies often reproduce hierarchies of subordination, with local elites preserving their privileges by attracting immigrants to fill low‐status roles. Far from addressing structural inequalities, such policies sustain the symbolic and material dominance of rural elites. This reading reframes depopulation as a contemporary form of hegemonic crisis, where the exodus of the masses constitutes an act of resistance against stagnant elites. By reinterpreting rural flight through the lens of recognition, subordination, and elite reproduction, the article calls for a renewed understanding of public policy grounded in power relations, not just population statistics.