ABSTRACT
Xavier Casals provides a re-assessment of the transition to democracy. The transition itself was much improvised than commonly believed balancing the demands of legitimacy and democratisation. It also became the founding myth of contemporary Spanish democracy, because of its distinctiveness to both the Restoration (1874–1923) and the Second Republic (1931–1936). This myth stressed consensus rather than elite-led decision making and down played the violence that was prevalent during the period, as well as the pressures of popular forces. Reform went further and deeper than was initially expected. External influences were also important, varying from the impact of Pinochet's coup to the radical transformation of Portugal, pushing both the opposition and the regime reformists to be more accommodating. However, the transition myth has come under sustained attack in recent years, particularly from the left. The transition is framed as one that failed to address the injustices of Francoism, and places limits on democracy. The fall of Juan Carlos has contributed to this pattern.
