ABSTRACT

First published in 1989, Political Change in Spain provides a stimulating and innovative account of Spain’s maturing democracy since 1982. Challenging the accepted wisdom that Spanish democracy is a fragile plant, the author demonstrates its strong roots and healthy growth in the context of the European Community. He argues that, despite the problems of economic transformation, Spain’s political attachments to Western Europe suggest that the Spanish economy will benefit in the long run from its increasing integration with its neighbours. The book also analyses the continuing threat to stability posed by separatist aspirations in the Basque country, in the context of the experiments with autonomous regional governments. This book will be valuable to anyone looking for a succinct introduction to changes in Spain, as well as to students of Western European politics, women’s studies and the Spanish language.

chapter Chapter one|21 pages

Democracy: the seeds of change

chapter Chapter two|18 pages

Political parties: a deceptive change

chapter Chapter three|27 pages

The regions: a resumption of change

chapter Chapter four|16 pages

Women and politics: reflections of change

chapter Chapter five|22 pages

Foreign policy: ambiguous change