Democratization in Southern Europe: A Comparative Analysis of Italy, Spain, and Turkey (Democratization Studies)

Why are some regimes democratic while others are not? Specifically, how have Spain and Italy managed to become democratic while Turkey, which shares many similar characteristics, has not? Spain, Italy and Turkey have shared common historical features which would have been disruptive to any new democracy; however they represent a wide array of democratization experiences. Providing a comparative case study analysis, this book offers some clues as to the reasons for successful transitions to democracy. This is done through a range of variables which include: the degree of ‘stateness’ problems learning from previous experiences with democracy and authoritarianism economic development the procedures used for designing the new rules of the regime the existence or absence of ‘civil society’ and the connection between society and political institutions the democratic rules themselves the professionalization of the military the influence of external factors on democratic consolidation. By examining these variables across the three countries, Lauren McLaren narrows the range of possible explanations for differences in democratic consolidation. The book will be of particular interest to students and researchers of European Politics and Democratization Studies. Book Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Contents......Page 8 Illustrations......Page 9 Preface......Page 10 Acknowledgements......Page 12 Abbreviations......Page 13 1 Introduction......Page 16 2 Problems in state building......Page 38 3 Experiencing the breakdown of democracy......Page 57 4 Pre-transition economic structures and economic development......Page 78 5 Constitution building......Page 105 6 The representation of social and political cleavages......Page 121 7 The functioning of government Executive and parliament......Page 157 8 The resolution of regional conflict......Page 187 9 The professionalization of the military......Page 207 10 External influences and democratic consolidation......Page 247 11 Conclusion......Page 270 Appendix: Research design and case selection......Page 285 Notes......Page 295 References......Page 307 Index......Page 330 Interdisciplinary Studies Book Cover 1 Title 6 Copyright 7 Contents 8 Illustrations 9 Preface 10 Acknowledgements 12 Abbreviations 13 1 Introduction 16 2 Problems in state building 38 3 Experiencing the breakdown of democracy 57 4 Pre-transition economic structures and economic development 78 5 Constitution building 105 6 The representation of social and political cleavages 121 7 The functioning of government Executive and parliament 157 8 The resolution of regional conflict 187 9 The professionalization of the military 207 10 External influences and democratic consolidation 247 11 Conclusion 270 Appendix: Research design and case selection 285 Notes 295 References 307 Index 330 Introduction -- Problems In State Building -- Experiencing The Breakdown Of Democracy -- Pre-transition Economic Structures And Economic Development -- Constitution Building -- The Representation Of Social And Political Cleavages -- The Functioning Of Government: Executive And Parliament -- The Resolution Of Regional Conflict -- The Professionalization Of The Military -- External Influences And Democratic Consolidation -- Conclusion. Lauren M. Mclaren. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [292]-314) And Index. Offers an introduction to politics in three Southern European countries, providing a comparative case study analysis of why democratization outcomes vary across them. This book examines potential variables, including problems with stateness, previous experience with democracy, the process of creating constitutions and other rules, and others Annotation Offers an introduction to the politics of Italy, Spain and Turkey, providing a comparative case study analysis of why democratization outcomes vary across the three countries