The Politics of Spain

by Richard Gunther, José Ramón Montero

Overview

Spain's evolution from authoritarian dictatorship to modern democracy was a remarkable achievement, and it created a model that has since been emulated by other countries undergoing similar transitions. Yet its success raised a question that perplexes experts to this day: how and why did a successful democracy emerge in the absence of any tradition of democratic stability? This landmark textbook examines the causes and conditions that explain modern Spain's political development, and analyzes the basic characteristics of Spanish democracy today – its core political institutions, its political parties and party systems (both regional and national), and patterns of electoral behaviour. Written by two leading experts in the field, this is a truly indispensable guide for all undergraduate students of Spanish politics, history, society, and culture.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521843331
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	01/22/2009
Series:	Cambridge Textbooks in Comparative Politics
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.80(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Richard Gunther is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at Ohio State University.

José Ramón Montero is a Professor in the Department of Political Science at the Universidad Autonóma de Madrid.

Table of Contents

1. The state and democracy in Spain: a historical overview; 2. The constitutional framework; 3. Multi-level governance: the Estado de las autonomías and the European Union; 4. Parties and democratic stability; 5. Citizens and politics in Spain; 6. Public policies and decision-making processes.

Editorial Reviews

Meticulously researched and cogently argued, this new study is essential reading for anyone interested in grasping the intricacies and dynamics of Spain’s contemporary political landscape.”
Chris Ealham, Social Sciences and Humanities, Saint Louis University, Madrid

“Two distinguished scholars, one American and one Spanish, known for their extensive and outstanding work on Spanish politics, have joined to produce an extremely readable, informed, up-to-date textbook on Spanish politics in theoretical and comparative perspective. A book not only for students of Spain, but of European and comparative politics.”
Juan J. Linz, Sterling Professor Emeritus of Political and Social Science, Yale University

“An up-to-date and balanced analysis of some of the key issues which explain the recent evolution of politics in Spain following the country’s recovery of democracy and the integration into the European Union. After giving a historical and constitutional overview, Gunther and Montero focus on political parties, elections, public policies, as well as on this atypical multi-level system of governance that is the ‘Estado de las Autonomías.’ This book is certain to become a major academic reference work for any reader interested in the Spanish political system and its evolution.”
Ferran Requejo, Professor of Political Science, Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona

From the Publisher