The Cultural Dynamics of Democratization in Spain / Peter McDonough, Samuel H. Barnes, Antonio Lopez-Pina.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

McDonough, Peter, author.

Barnes, Samuel H., author.

López Pina, Antonio, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Public opinion--Spain.

Public opinion.

Political participation--Spain.

Political participation.

Democratization--Spain--Public opinion.

Democratization.

Democracy--Spain--Public opinion.

Democracy.

Spain--Politics and government--1975---Public opinion.

Spain.

Genre:

Electronic books.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (xii, 241 pages) : illustrations

Place of Publication:

Ithaca, NY : Cornell University Press, [2018]

Language Note:

In English.

Summary:

Since the death of Franco in 1975, Spain has made a successful transition to democracy. This book looks at what that transition has meant for the Spanish people. Drawing on national surveys taken in 1978, 1980, 1984, and 1990, the authors explore three questions: What is the basis of the new regime's political legitimacy? How did Spanish democracy move from the conservative center-right coalition that engineered the transition to the socialist government that consolidated it? And why is political participation so low among Spaniards? The answers to the first two questions highlight the ambiguity built into the political contrast with the Franco regime and a certain appreciation of the material accomplishments of authoritarianism, the pivotal role of the king in opting for democracy while symbolically spanning traditional and modernizing forces, and finally a movement from foundational issues to economic and social concerns. In response to the third question, the authors illuminate the participatory shortfall in Spanish politics by comparing Spain with Brazil and Korea, two post-authoritarian societies where political involvement is much higher. They consider long-term structural factors as well as short-term strategic actions that have contributed to low civic engagement.

Contents:

Frontmatter

Contents

Preface

Introduction: From Maximalism to Moderation

Chapter 1. Rethinking Democratic Legitimacy

Chapter 2. Gauging Political Legitimacy

Chapter 3. The Transformation of the Agenda of Public Opinion

Chapter 4. The Golden Decade of the Socialists

Chapter 5. Identities, Ideologies, and Interests

Chapter 6. The Puzzle of Participation

Conclusion: The Mellowing of Mass Politics

Appendix A. On Gender, Employment Status, Religion, and Civic Engagement

Appendix B. Effects of the Media on Participation

Notes

References

Index

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (p. 207-236) and index.

Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 25. Sep 2019)

ISBN:

1-5017-2871-7

OCLC:

1040024862