Transition to Democracy in Spain

Year 2019, Issue: 4, 1 - 16, 31.12.2019

Sündüs Adaş

Abstract

The history of democracy in Spain includes bloody wars and great struggles. The traditionalist forces that emerged victorious from the Spanish Civil War established a dictatorship that would last almost four decades under the leadership of General Francisco Franco. With the death of the dictator Franco, the transition to democracy was experienced. While analysing this process, it is seen that many theoretical approaches have been developed. This study was based on the approach of Nicos Poulantazas, who undertook his theory in his book, The Crisis of Dictatorships, published in the mid-1970s. Nevertheless, this study was not limited to Poulantzas’s approach. In this study, the events during the transition to democracy were evaluated. In addition, the democratisation process was also examined in the context of institutions that had important effects and reflections on Spanish politics.

Keywords

Spain, democratisation, transition to democracy, dictatorship, Franco regime

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