Joaquín Costa (September 14, 1846, Monzón, Huesca Province[1] – February 8, 1911, Graus, Huesca Province[2]) was a Spanish politician, lawyer, economist and historian.
The son of an Aragonese farmer and his first wife, Costa was self-educated and campaigned to end what he considered to be Spanish backwardness. He desired to start a movement that would force politicians to embark on a program of educational, social, and economic reform.
According to Raymond Carr his ideas, known as 'Regenerationism' (scientific study of Spain's decline as a nation), rose to greater prominence in the aftermath of Spain's defeat in the Spanish–American War.[3]