Spanish politics today

Book abstract:

This book offers the ideal introduction to those unfamiliar with Spanish politics. Given its position as a leading European state, contemporary Spain has received less attention than it deserves and Spanish Politics Today aims to fill that gap. Part of the Politics Today series, this book covers election, political parties as well as policy processes at regional, national and European levels, Spain's membership of the European Union, its experience of democratic transition and the construction of a system of government for its regions and nationalities. Thus many of the issues that have dominated Spanish political agendas in the 1980's and 1990's are discussed.

The seven chapters are: Introduction: from dictatorship to democracy; Towards a federal Spain; Parties and elections; The balance of powers; The policy labyrinth; Policy processes; Spain in the European Union.

This is a concise and accessible guide to Spanish politics and will be essential reading for students of European politics.

The author, John Gibbons, is Senior Lecturer in Politics in Manchester Metropolitan University.