European integration and civil society in Spain

Article is part of a special issue entitled 'Spain and Portugal in the European Union. The first fifteen years'.
Article abstract:

This essay argues that, while not a causal determinant for a successful transition to democracy in Spain, the promise of EU membership helped Spain's democratisation and consolidation process, partially overcoming its notorious dearth of voluntary associations. In addition, the EU also exerted significant influence on prominent segments of civil society, most notably organised labour, which helped shape the context for state-society relations.