This book considers the most electorally successful political party in Spain, the Spanish Socialist Workers Party (PSOE), which was in government for two of the three decades since it won office under Felipe González in 1982. Providing rich historical background, the books main focus is on the period since General Francos death in 1975. It charts Spains modernisation under the PSOE, with a particular focus on the role played by European integration in this process. Covering events including the 2011 general election, the book is one of the most up-to-date works available in English and will be of great interest to academics and undergraduate and postgraduate students in the field of Spanish and European studies.

Paul Kennedy is Lecturer in Spanish and European Studies in the Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies at the University of Bath

Introduction and Chapter Plan1. The PSOE and social democracy2. The character of Spanish socialism: an historical overview 187919823. The PSOE and the European community: from isolation to integration4. Economic policy under the PSOE 198219965. Foreign and Security Policy under the PSOE government (19821996): the irresistible force of European imperatives?6. The PSOE and the question of regional autonomy7. The PSOE in opposition 199620048. Zapatismo: progressive ideology in a post-social democratic world?9. Foreign and Security Policy under Zapatero10. Nemesis. Economic policy under the PSOE and the road to defeat11. ConclusionAppendix: Party organisation, membership and general election results 20002011BibliographyIndex