El modelo español de democratización

Authors

  • Josep M. Colomer

Abstract

The Spanish model of transition from authoritarianism was constructed on a base of negotiation and a pact between political elites to establish a democratic regime with a wide-ranging social consensus. In contrast with other histories of regime change, violence, retaliation and vengeance were ruled out. This strategy of negotiation and pact is rational when the balance of forces between the ruling and opposition elites produces uncertainty regarding the resulting winners and losers. For each one of the actors, choosing the strategy of confrontation involves the risk of ending up as an absolute loser. Each side must also consider the high costs associated with a destructive confrontation. Because of the fear of instability and conflict, the democratic institutions that were established in Spain during the transition at the end of the 1970s have emphasized government stability. Paradoxically, this has given way to polarization and concentration of power in contrast with the pluralist consensus that surrounded the transition.

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How to Cite

Colomer, J. M. (1999). El modelo español de democratización. Política Y Gobierno, 6(1), 173-185. http://www.politicaygobierno.cide.edu/index.php/pyg/article/view/484

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