Spanish Case Study
Abstract
Spain has frequently and correctly been offered as a model of how to negotiate a democratic transition and consolidate a democracy. The transition from authoritarianism to democracy was initiated in the late 1970s and completed with the election of the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) in 1982. It was the forerunner in the contemporary "third wave of democracy." A crucial factor, if not the crucial factor in the overall process of the Spanish transition was the resolution of civil-military relations. The Spanish transition provides an example of a "success story." As such it is particularly useful to analyze for it can shed light on strategies of transition which are likely to promote as opposed to undermine democratic consolidation. In the following paper, the author discusses four factors that were crucial to the Spanish success in redefining civil-military relations: the creation of a ministry of defense that institutionalized the power of civilians over the armed forces; a decision to redefine military roles and missions; the emergence of a small group of civilians who became proficient in issues concerning security, defense, and democratic civil-military relations; and the interventions of international organizations -- primarily the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and later the European Union (EU) -- which helped guide and encourage the emergence of a democratic model of civilian control.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA484131
Entities
People
- Thomas C. Bruneau
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School