Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book shows how vitally important the transitionary constitution-making process is to the success of democratization. Constitution-making reveals in a microcosm the political climate of the larger polity during the transition. The book examines Spain's turning point toward democratization, exploring how the political elites handled the critical choice between continuity, reform and "ruptura." It explores the general topic at constitution-making during transitions to democracy. The book describes the official or "technical" phases of the process and surveys the political actors involved. It outlines Spain's experience to that of several other European nations, and offers a policy oriented framework for the study and practice of constitution-making during transitions to democracy. The book discusses the contents of the new constitutional document by analyzing its "political" and "sociogovernmental" formulas.