The Government and Politics of Spain (Comparative Government and Politics)

Despite the widespread attention attracted by Spain's remarkable transition from General Franco's repressive dictatorship to a dynamic democracy, this is the first comprehensive study in English of the new Spanish political system. The book introduces the main institutions and features of the contemporary Spanish state and assesses to what extent these still bear the imprint of the Francoist legacy. Despite some remaining obstacles and difficulties, Paul Heywood argues, the country is now decisively in the political mainstream of the new Europe. Contemporary Spain Is Virtually Unrecognisable Compared With What It Was Like When General Franco Died In 1975. Spain Was Then Very Much A Marginal Power, Condemned By Nearly Four Decades Of Dictatorship To Europe's Political Periphery. Since 1975 The Country Has Undergone A Dramatic Political Transformation. Often Seen As A 'model' For The Former Communist Regimes Of Eastern Europe, Spain's Post-franco Transition Not Only Established A Vibrant Democracy But Also Managed To Keep In Check The Deep Divisions Which Had Characterised The Country For Centuries. Yet, Although Spain's Transition To Democracy Has Been The Focus Of Extensive Political And Academic Analysis, Far Less Attention Has Been Paid To Subsequent Developments. This Book Provides The First Comprehensive Assessment Of The Government And Politics Of Democratic Spain, Setting Its Distinctive Features In Both Historical And Comparative Context. The Book Pays Particular Attention To The Devolved And Regional Character Of Spanish Government, The Role Of The Monarchy And The Constitution And The Evolution Of The Political Parties Since The Downfall Of The Dictatorship. Autonomous Regions And Provinces In Democratic Spain -- Introduction: Analysing Spanish Politics -- 1. Reconciling State And Nation: The Politics Of Regional Diversity -- 2. The 1978 Constitutional Settlement -- 3. The Institutional Legacy Of Francoism -- 4. Central Government: Monarchy, Core Executive And Parliament -- 5. The Judiciary And The 'state Of Law' -- 6. The Public Sector: Reform And Renewal -- 7. The Autonomous Communities -- 8. The Electoral And Party Systems -- 9. Political Parties: Devalued Defenders Of Democracy -- 10. Economic Modernisation -- 11. The Policy Process -- 12. Spain As An International Power. Paul Heywood. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 296-315) And Index. Front Matter....Pages i-xx Introduction: Analysing Spanish Politics....Pages 1-8 Front Matter....Pages 9-9 Reconciling State and Nation: The Politics of Regional Diversity....Pages 11-36 The 1978 Constitutional Settlement....Pages 37-56 The Institutional Legacy of Francoism....Pages 57-80 Front Matter....Pages 81-81 Central Government: Monarchy, Core Executive and Parliament....Pages 83-102 The Judiciary and the ‘State of Law’....Pages 103-120 The Public Sector: Reform and Renewal....Pages 121-141 The Autonomous Communities....Pages 142-164 The Electoral and Party Systems....Pages 165-188 Political Parties: Devalued Defenders of Democracy....Pages 189-214 Front Matter....Pages 215-215 Economic Modernisation....Pages 217-240 The Policy Process....Pages 241-260 Spain as an International Power....Pages 261-283 Back Matter....Pages 284-331 "Contemporary Spain is virtually unrecognisable compared with what it was like when General Franco died in 1975. Since 1975 the country has undergone a dramatic political transformation. This book provides the first comprehensive assessment of the government and politics of democratic Spain, setting its distinctive features in both historical and comparative context. The book pays particular attention to the devolved and regional character of Spanish government, the role of the monarchy and the constitution and the evolution of the political parties since the downfall of the dictatorship."--Jacket This Book Provides The First Comprehensive Assessment Of The Government And Politics Of Democratic Spain, Setting Its Distinctive Features In Both Historical And Comparative Context. The Books Pays Particular Attention To The Devolved And Regional Character Of Spanish Government, The Role Of The Monarch And The Constitution And The Evolution Of The Political Parties Since The Downfall Of The Dictatorship. A study of the new Spanish political system, since the transition from General Franco's dictatorship to a democracy. It introduces the main institutions and features of the contemporary Spanish state and assesses to what extent these still bear the imprint of the Francoist legacy.