Who governs southern Europe? Regime change and ministerial recruitment, 1850-2000

Abstract:

Southern Europe for the purpose of this work includes Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece, each of which has seen an evolution of power from a monarchic centre to a democratically elected government. The modern centre of power is located with Cabinet ministers. This work presents analysis of the change in the power centre and looks at the background characteristics and credentials of the new policy makers, the methods of their selection and the career paths they have followed in their ascent to power.

Each country study is subject to the three core principles. First, to define the periods and nature of regime changes underlying the principal factors potentially affecting political recruitment, and to provide quantitative information on the size of the ministerial elite, Cabinet duration, length of ministerial careers and mobility through ministerial portfolios. Second, to outline the social profile of the entire group of ministers in each period, and to single out the main changes and continuities over time. Third, to examine the 'cursus honorum' of Cabinet beginners, explaining how different institutional frameworks and political environments have changed the opportunity structures and the rules of the selection process.

The work will benefit scholars, students, politicians and aspirants with an interest in the evolution of governments.

Pedro Tavares de Almeida is Professor of Political Science at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Lisbon.