POLS 377-000: Politics Of Democratic Spain (Spring 2010)

This upper-division course analyses Spain's transition to democracy and democratic political system built after that. The class will question: Is this a model for others to emulate?  Background information provided will include: the failed Second Republic; the tragic Civil War of 1936-39; Franco's authoritarian regime (1939-1976); the social and economic changes during this period; and the details of the transition to democracy itself.  In terms of the contemporary political system, this class will consider the institutional and policy challenges faced by the new democracy, the development of a viable party system, compromise in the Constitution of 1978, the creation of governmental institutions, and problematic issues such as the regional question, political terrorism and violence, and continuing economic problems. As a course in comparative politics, issues such as Spain's relationship to the European Union, government-military relations, and the development of federalism will also be covered.