Despite the widespread attention attracted by Spain's remarkable transition from General Franco's repressive dictatorship to a dynamic democracy, this is the first comprehensive study in English of the new Spanish political system. The book introduces the main institutions and features of the contemporary Spanish state and assesses to what extent these still bear the imprint of the Francoist legacy. Despite some remaining obstacles and difficulties, Paul Heywood argues, the country is now decisively in the political mainstream of the new Europe.

PAUL M. HEYWOOD is Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Sir Francis Hill Professor of European Politics, University of Nottingham, UK.

Acknowledgements
Introduction
Analysing Spanish Politics
PART 1. THE LEGACY OF HISTORY
Reconciling State and Nation
The Politics of Regional Diversity
The 1978 Constitutional Settlement
The Institutional Legacy of Francoism
PART 2. THE CONSTRUCTION OF A DEMOCRATIC STATE
Central Government
Monarchy, Core Executive and Parliament
The Judiciary and the 'State of Law' The Public Sector
Reform and Renewal
The Autonomous Communities
The Electoral and Party Systems
Political Parties
Devalued Defenders of Democracy
PART 3. THE EMERGENCE OF A MODERN DEMOCRATIC POWER
Economic Modernisation
The Policy Process Spain as an International Power
Appendices
Bibliography.