The Spanish Transition to Democracy

Paper Summary:

This paper argues that the logic of a democratisation based on the notion of 'ruptura pactada' (rupture based on mutual agreements) has enabled the Spanish government to address peacefully the issues of the form of government, the place of religion and the question of historic nationalism, by making concessions to satisfy the whole Spanish political class. It looks at how nevertheless, this consensual solution has been revealing its high fragility since Spain's 'second' debut as a democracy, in particular in the domain of autonomous and independence aspirations among Spanish regions. It discusses to what extent the logic of 'ruptura pactada' can be considered as to have inherent weaknesses which would undermine a peaceful democratic consolidation in Spain.

Outline:
The Making of Spain's Transition to Democracy Under the Principle of 'Policy of Consensus' or Also Called 'Ruptura Pactada'
The Drafting of the 1978 Constitution: The Application of the Principle of 'Ruptura Pactada' In Political Negotiations
The Fragility of the Consensus: The Emergence of Strong Contestations
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"Juan Antonio Ortega Diaz-Ambrona insists on that, in the perspective of Franco's imminent death, the National Movement (the Francoist political platform of the dictatorship), was extremely divided as for the way Spanish politics should be managed in the future. Indeed, the Francoist political elite was divided between the inmovilistas (the "fixed ones") who advocated the "continuity", which means that the Francoist political regime, as defined by the "Fundamental principles" (Principios Fundamentales) established in 1958, should continue after Franco's death, and the aperturistas (the "open ones") who favoured a direction towards a more liberalised and democratic regime (ORTEGA DIAZ-AMBRONA, 1984: 21-22). Carlos Arias Navarro replaced Carrero Blanco at the head of the government but the Francoist government faced serious difficulties to get unanimous support for a new law of political associations in February 1974. "

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