ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the authors aim to analyze aspects of the logic of a form of transition from authoritarianism to democratic rule that they term “transitions through transaction” and to place the Brazilian case in comparative perspective with Spain. In the initial phases of Spain’s democratization there was a consensus among regime reformers and the moderate democratic opposition that the Communist left would be excluded. The authors focus on democratization by choice, because by definition transitions through transaction result from a choice by regime elites, even if declining internal cohesion or limited legitimacy are factors in that choice. Transitions to democracy involve both liberalization and democratization. Democratization began only with the accession of King Juan Carlos in November 1975. Most important, the very existence of democratic elections means that there are new mechanisms for legitimizing the exercise of political power.
