The Spanish Socialist Party and the modernisation of Spain

This book considers the most electorally successful political party in Spain, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) which was in government for two of the three decades since it won office under Felipe González in 1982. Providing rich historical background, the book's main focus is on the period since General Franco's death in 1975 and charts Spain's modernisation under the PSOE, with a particular focus on the role played by European integration in this process. Covering events including the 2011 general election, the book is one of the most up-to-date works available in English and will be of great interest to academics, undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of Spanish and European studies. Front matter Contents Series editors foreword Dedication Acknowledgements Introduction The PSOE and social democracy The character of Spanish Socialism: a historical overview, 1879–1982 The PSOE and the European Community: from isolation to integration Economic policy under the PSOE, 1982–96 Foreign and security policy under the PSOE government (1982–96): the irresistible force of European imperatives? The PSOE and the question of regional autonomy The PSOE in opposition, 1996–2004 Zapatismo: progressive ideology in a post­social democratic world? Foreign and security policy under Rodríguez Zapatero Nemesis: economic policy under the PSOE and the road to defeat Conclusion Appendix: Party organisation, membership and general election results 2000–11 Bibliography Index This book considers the most electorally successful political party in Spain, the Spanish Socialist Workers'Party (PSOE), which was in government for two of the three decades since it won office under Felipe González in 1982. Providing rich historical background, the book's main focus is on the period since General Franco's death in 1975. It charts Spain's modernisation under the PSOE, with a particular focus on the role played by European integration in this process. Covering events including the 2011 general election, the book is one of the most up-to-date works available in English and will be of great interest to academics and undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of Spanish and European studies. This text considers the most electorally successful political party in Spain, the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) which was in government for two of the three decades since it won office under Felipe Gonzalez in 1982. Providing rich historical background, the book's main focus is on the period since General Franco's death in 1975. It charts Spain's modernisation under the PSOE, with a particular focus on the role played by European integration in this process Covers the background to the current economic crisis in Spain, which has knock-on effects for the rest of the EU