Spains Transition To Democracy

The Third Wave of Democratization - The Spanish Paradigm

History of the Third Wave

History has proven that democratization around the world has occurred in stages. Samuel P. Huntington breaks these stages into three waves, with the final wave being the current wave. The third wave of democratization began in 1975 with Portugal's transition. The vast majority of the countries that democratized during this time were transformed from a one-party system, a military regime or a personal dictatorship. These undemocratic regimes were characterized by "patronage, nepotism, cronyism and corruption," (Huntington 111). These regimes typically also suppressed competition among political divisions and political participation. The countries in the third wave were driven to democratization by external influences, although in many cases specific events or groups from within also drove them to democratize.

Huntington describes the basic forms of transitions during this time in three categories. Most countries during this time frame fall into one of these categories, although these categories overlap for particular nations. Linz has alternate names for these transitions, although they hold the same value (Linz's are in italics). Transformation (reforma) occurs when "those in power in the authoritarian regime take the lead role and play the decisive role in ending that regime and changing it into a democratic system" (Huntington 124). In a replacement (ruptura), "reformers within the regime are weak or nonexistent. The dominant elements are staunchly opposed to regime change. Democratization consequently results from the opposition gaining strength and the government losing strength until the government withers, collapses or is overthrown" (Huntington 142). Finally, in changes known as transplacements (ruptforma), the undemocratic government is "willing to negotiate a change of regime, but it is unwilling to initiate a change of regime" (Huntington 151). These three types of transitions occurred during the third wave with most frequency. The Spanish case study is one which should be analyzed by those who wish to understand democratization, as it is considered the third wave's "paradigmatic case for the study of pacted democratic transition and rapid democratic consolidation" (Linz and Stepan 87).

Recent History of Spain- Years Leading to Democratization

During the years leading up to Spain's push towards democracy, Spain had been through many hard times. During the 1930s, mounting conflicts between the republican government and the nationalist opposition led to the extremely bloody Spanish Civil War (1936-39). Under General Francisco Franco, the nationalists received extensive support from Nazi-Germany and fascist Italy, which thus aided in their victory over the republicans. The nationalists succeeded, and Franco became Spain's dictator for the next thirty-six years.

Franco kept Spain neutral during World War II, however, his military dictatorship led to political and economic isolation from the rest of the world. During the 1950s and 1960s Franco worked diligently to improve international relations, and the country's economy eventually recovered from its hardships to become prosperous. In 1969 Franco proclaimed Juan Carlos his successor with the title of king.

Juan Carlos was instrumental in the reform process, and upon Franco's death in 1975 he had already determined the course of action Spain was to take next. With the installation of President Arias and eventually the influential President SuÐ"ÐŽrez, Spain moved from a long period of political authoritarianism to a constitutional monarchy. Spain's strong democratic tradition continues to this day.

Spain's Transition Process

The process of transforming Spain's regime to a democratic government was one that had to be handled with caution. The institutions of Franco's regime were too deep-rooted and corrupt to be transformed into democratic ones, so they had to be completely removed. This was tricky in and of itself, as to do this with the legitimacy of a democracy, they had to vote themselves out through the mechanisms and institutions of the old system, and then create a new one. The military had a strong hold on these institutions, and so to ensure the longevity of democracy without a military coup, structural change had to come from within. President SuÐ"ÐŽrez skillfully convinced the public that change was needed, so when the time came to confront the Cortes, a Francoite legislative organ, they had little to no choice but to reform. The bill brought to their attention became known as the Law for Political Reform and it called for an undemocratic, legislative organ to institute reforms that led to the eventual democratization of Spain. To "change the regime constitutionally, SuÐ"ÐŽrez made an indirect appeal to the corporatist Cortes that it would be ethically and historically correct to vote themselves out of existence by allowing free elections" (Linz and Stepan 91).