Course Syllabus- Society & Politics in Contemporary Spain Language of Instruction: English Professor: Andrea Noferini Professor s Contact and Office Hours: Mondays (to be confirmed) Office 20.100 Course Contact Hours: 45 hours Recommended Credit: 6 ECTS credits Weeks: 5 Course Prerequisites: This course is oriented to students interested in Spanish politics. The course does not assume prior knowledge of Spanish and/or European politics. Language Requirements: None Schedules: Monday to Thursday, from 11 am to 1.15 pm Course Description: Brief description of the course. Example: Once labeled by Newsweek magazine as the coolest city in Europe, Barcelona enjoys the reputation of a cosmopolitan city with a great international projection. Like all places, however, it is not without its complexities and contradictions. Behind a glossy and tourist-friendly façade, the city has a complex history. This course introduces the student to the city of Barcelona by studying its past and analyzing its present. This interdisciplinary course covers subject in history, geography, art, architecture, and urban planning. Materials include images, maps, academic and literary texts, videos, field studies, and documentaries. We will also discuss issues relevant to people living within the city of Barcelona today Keywords: Spain, Spanish politics, electoral behavior, political actors, institutions. Learning Objectives: At the end of this course the students will be able: 1) to understand the development and working of the Spanish political system in the last decades; 2) to comprehend the relationship between democracy and Spanish politics; 3) to become familiar with the key literature on Spanish and European comparative politics. Course Workload The workload of the course rests on the assigned readings that students are expected to complete prior to coming to class and to contribute to discussion during seminars. That is, during lectures, I will pose questions to encourage students participation and developing critical thinking. Students are expected to actively participate along the course with exercise, in-group activities and debates. Finally they will have to make a home midterm exam and also home final exam. Methods of Instruction: The course is structured in both lecture and seminar formats. Classes usually start with an introductory lecture where the professor will present the most relevant issues of the topic at stake. Topics are grouped into weekly format which include students activities oriented to relate concepts, to express original ideas as well as to develop their critical thinking on the topics under study. In addition, we will make a number of selected field studies during the course aimed at visiting the most relevant international and national organization here in Barcelona such as the Parliament of Catalonia and the representation of the institutions of the European Union in Barcelona.
Method of Assessment The final grade will be calculated as follows: Class attendance and participation: 10% Group activities: 30 % Take Home Midterm exam: 30% Final exam: 30% Absence Policy Attending class is mandatory and will be monitored daily by professors. The impact of absences on the final grade is as follows: Absences Up to two (2) absences Three (3) absences Four (4) absences Five (5) absences or more Penalization No penalization. 1 point subtracted from final grade (on a 10 point scale) 2 points subtracted from final grade (on a 10 point scale) The student receives an INCOMPLETE for the course The BISS attendance policy does not distinguish between justified or unjustified absences. The student is deemed responsible to manage his/her absences. Emergency situations (hospitalization, family emergency, etc.) will be analyzed on a case by case basis by the Academic Director of the UPF Summer School. Classroom Norms: - No food or drink is permitted in class - Students will have a ten-minute break after one- hour session Course Contents: Session 1 - Course description Introduction to the Course, Objectives, Course format, Principal contents and overview of the course. No readings Session 2 Basics Facts of the Spanish Political System and Spanish Society Readings: Raymond Carr and Juan Pablo Fussi, Spain Dictatorship to Democracy: pp. 15-48. Gunther, Richard, José Ramón Montero and Joan Botella, Democracy in Modern Spain. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004, pp. 65-78. Chislett, William, 2016, A New Course for Spain: Beyond the Crisis, Real Instituto Elcano: http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/wcm/connect/4042b2804bb4115fa0a5ba6e9c 1af357/Chislett-New-course-for-Spain-beyondcrisis.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=4042b2804bb4115fa0a5ba6e9c1af357 Preston, Paul, The Triumph of Democracy in Spain, pp. 1-52. Session 3 The Legacy of History: the Institutional legacy of Francoism Institutional legacies The absence of a tradition of democratic stability- From dictatorship to democracy- The Emergence of democratic institutions. Readings: Heywood, Paul, Institucional Legacy of Francoism, in the Government and Politics of Spain, pp. 57-80.
Gunther and Montero, 2009, The State and Democracy in Spain: A historical Overview, pp. 1-41. North, An Introduction to Institutions and Institutional Change`, in Institutions and Institutional Change and Economic Performance, pp. 3-10. Encarnación, Omar, 2001, Civil Society and the Consolidation of Democracy in Spain, Political Science Quarterly, 116: 53-79. Session 4 - Transition from Dictatorship to Democracy I: Theories of Democratization The democratic moment- What democracy is and is not-democracy s Third and Fourth Waves Dangers and dilemmas of democracy Explanatory factors for the consolidation of a democracy. Bunce, Valery. 2000. "Comparative Democratization: Big and Bounded Generalizations", Comparative Political Studies 33(6/7):703-734. Adam Przeworski, Michael Alvarez, José Antonio Cheibub and Fernando Limongi. "What Makes Democracies Endure?" Journal of Democracy, 7 (1), 1996: 39-55. Session 5 Transition from Dictatorship to Democracy II: The Spanish Case Institutionalizing a new regime The Constituent Process- The Constitution of 1978 Analytical perspectives about the transition process to democracy Explaining successful democratic consolidation. Gunther, Richard, José Ramón Montero and Joan Botella, Democracy in Modern Spain. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004, pp. 79-107. Preston, Paul, The Triumph of Democracy in Spain, pp. 53-121.Maravall, José María and Julián Santamaría, "Political Change in Spain and the Prospects for Democracy." In: O Donnell, Schmitter and Whitehead, Transitions form Authoritarian Rule. Session 6 - The Institutions of the Spanish Democracy I: Parlamentarism versus Presidentialism, the Central Government, the executive and the Monarchy Constitutional choices for new democracies The virtues of parliamentarism The virtues of presidentialism The primacy of the particular European and Spanish Parliamentarism- The Head of the State- The Prime Minister The Cabinet Making Laws in Spain: executives and legislatives Monarchy in the Spanish Constitution Readings: Lijphart, Parliaments: Concentration vs. Sharing of Legislative Power`, in Democracies, pp. 90-105. Van Biezen, I., y J. Hopkin. 2005. The Presidentialization of Spanish Democracy: Sources of Prime Ministerial Power in Post-Franco Spain, in The Presidentialization of Politics, edited by T. Poguntke and P. Webb, Oxford University Press: 106-127. Linz, The Virtues of Parliamentarism` in The Global Resurgence of Democracy, pp. 154-161. Eaton, Ken, Parliamentarism versus Presidentialism`, Comparative Politics 32 : 355-376. Session 7 The Institutions of the Spanish Democracy III- The structure of the Spanish state: The Autonomous Regions (Comunidades Autónomas) From authoritarian centralism to the Estado de las Autonomías Theoretical models of decentralised power -Institutionalizing the Estado de las Auntonomías The natura of the sytem The problems and the consequences of the system.
Colomer, J.M., 1998. The Spanish State of Autonomies: non-institutional federalism`, West European Politics, 1998 21(4): 40-52. Lijphart, A., 1999, Patterns of democracy: government forms and performance in thirty-six countries, Yale University Press, pp. 185-199. Bache, I and R. Jones, 2000, Has EU Regional Policy Empowered the Regions? A Study of Spain and the UK. Regional and Federal Studies 10 (3): 1-20. Session 8 - The Institutions of the Spanish Democracy IV: Political Parties and Party System in Spain Theory of political parties and party systems Parties and party system in Spain Party membership Power within parties - Party families in Spanish Politics The role of national parties The role of regional parties New parties and movements in Spain. Gunther, Richard, José Ramón Montero and Joan Botella, Democracy in Modern Spain. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004, pp. 198-237. Gallagher, M., M. Laver and P. Mair. 2006. Party politics and party systems in Europe`, in Representative Government in Modern Europe, pp. 187-227. Session 9 Simulation session Session 10 - The Institutions of the Spanish Democracy V: Legislatives in Spanish Politics Theories of democratic institutions: consensus and majoritarian systems The functions of legislatures Bicameralism in Spanish politics - Checks and balances in the Spanish political system The relationship between the legislative and the executive in Spain. Maurer, L. 1999. Parliamentary Influence in a New Democracy : The Spanish Congress, Journal of Legislative Studies, 5: 24-45. Gallagher, M., M. Laver and P. Mair. 2006. Parliaments`, in Representative Government in Modern Europe, pp. 57-82. Mújica, A.; Sánchez-Cuenca, I. 2006. "Consensus and Parliamentary Opposition: The Case of Spain". Government and Opposition 41 (1): 86-108. Field, B, 2009, Minority Government and Legislative Politics in a Multilevel State: Spain under Zapatero`, South European Politics and Society 14(1): 417-434. Session 11 Midterm (take home exam) Session 12 The Institutions of the Spanish Democracy VI: The judiciary within the Spanish Political System The Spanish State of the Law`- The judiciary in the 1978 Constitution The Main judicial actors in Spanish politics Judges and Lawmaking: the politization of justice and the judicialization of politics in Spain. Heywood, The Judiciary and the State of the Law, pp. 103-120. Maravall, El Estado de Derecho como arma política, in El Control de los Políticos`, pp. 168-222. Stone-Sweet, A., 2000, Governing with judges: Constitutional politics in Europe, Oxford University Press, pp. 31-60.
Session 13 - The Institutions of the Spanish Democracy VIII: The Spanish Media as political actors Mass media and democracy Regulating the media (the public service model/ the market model) Theories of mass media The impact of the media in the legislative, the executive and the judiciary in Spain Ownership and control of the media in Spain. Hallin, D., and P. Manzini. 2004, The Mediterranean or polarized pluralist model, in Comparing Media Systems. Three Models of Media and Politics. Cambridge University Press, pp. 89-142. Gunther, R., J.R. Montero, and J.I. Wert, 2000, The Media and Politics in Spain: From Dictatorship to Democracy`, in R. Gunther y A. Mughan (eds.), Democracy and the Media: A Comparative Perspective. Cambridge University Press. González, J., R. Rodriguez and A. Castromil, 2010, A Case of Polarized Pluralism in a Mediterranean Country: The Media and Politics in Spain`, Global Media Journal 5 (1):1-9. Session 14 The Institutions of the Spanish Democracy IX: The Electoral System in Spain Types of electoral system Plurality and majority systems Proportional representation in Spain Why the electoral system matter. Heywood, The Electoral System`, in The Government and Politics of Spain, pp 165-173. Lijphart, A. 1990, The Political consequences of electoral laws, American Political Science Review 84 (2): 481-496. Session 15 Elections, political competition and the Spanish voter Theories of electoral behavior Voting turnout -Who vote in Spain? When do people vote? Determinants of election turnout - Change in Spanish Cleavage structures and electoral behavior Evaluating change and stability in Spain elections Referendums. Gunther, Richard, José Ramón Montero and Joan Botella, Democracy in Modern Spain. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2004, pp. 237-279. Pradeep Chhibber and Mariano Torcal, "Elite Strategy, Social Cleavages, and Party Systems in a New Democracy." Comparative Political Studies, 30 (1), 1997: 27-54. Session 16 Political culture and political participation in Spain Cultural legacies: a tradition of discontinuities Political attitudes in Spain - Dissatisfaction and Disaffection Moderation and (Center) Leftism Materialism and postmaterialism - Regional subcultures Regionalist and nationalist identities. José Ramón Montero, Richard P. Gunther and Mariano Torcal, "Democracy in Spain: Legitimacy, Discontent, and Disaffection," Studies in Comparative International Development, 32 (3), Fall 1997: 124-60. José Ramón Montero and Mariano Torcal, "Voters and Citizens in a New Democracy. Some Trend Data on Political Attitudes in Spain," International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 2 (2), 1990: 116-40. Session 17 - Visit to the Parliament (to be confirmed)
Session 18 The Europeanization of the Spanish Political System The European integration process Europeanization and institutional analysis Effects of the Europeanization process in the Spanish political system The merger between the domestic and the European policy processes. Closa and Heywood, 2004, `Institutional adaptation: reshaping political structures`, in Spain and the European Union. London: Palgrave. Arregui, Javier, 2007, Europeización y Transformación Institucional del Sistema Político Español, in España en Europa, Europa en España (1986-2006). Barcelona: CIDOB. Session 19 visit to Eu institutions in Barcelona (to be confirmed) Session 20 General Conclusion: The Spanish Democracy. Majoritarian or Pluralistic? Formal conclusions of the course with respect to the main political and institutional characteristics of the Spanish political system within a comparative perspective. Lijphart, Arend, Patterns of Democracy. Government Forms and Performance in Thirty- Six Countries. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1999, pp. 9-47 and pp. 275-300. Colomer, Josep Maria, Political Institutions. Democracy and Social Choice. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2001, chapter 1, pp. 1-17. Session 21 Final conclusions of the course (by students) Session 22 Final exam Required Readings: CARR, R., and Juan Pablo FUSSI, 1979, Spain Dictatorship to Democracy: pp. 15-48. GUNTHER, Richard, José Ramón MONTERO and Joan BOTELLA, 2004, Democracy in Modern Spain. New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 65-78. HEYWOOD, Paul, 1995, Institucional Legacy of Francoism, in the Government and Politics of Spain, pp. 57-80. BUNCE, Valery, 2000, "Comparative Democratization: Big and Bounded Generalizations", Comparative Political Studies 33(6/7):703-734. GUNTHER, Richard, José Ramón MONTERO and Joan BOTELLA, Democracy in Modern Spain, 2004, New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 79-107. LIJPHART, A., 1999, Parliaments: Concentration vs. Sharing of Legislative Power`, in Democracies, pp. 90-105. VAN BIEZEN, I., y J. HOPKIN, 2005, The presidentialization of Spanish democracy: sources of prime ministerial power in post-franco Spain, en The presidentialization of politics, editado por T. Poguntke y P. Webb. Oxford University Press. pp. 106-127. COLOMER, J.M., 1998, The Spanish State of Autonomies: non-institutional federalism`, West European Politics, 1998 21(4): 40-52. GUNTHER, Richard, José Ramón MONTERO and Joan BOTELLA, Democracy in Modern Spain, 2004, New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 198-237. MAURER, L, 1999, Parliamentary Influence in a New Democracy : The Spanish Congress, Journal of Legislative Studies, 5: 24-45.
HEYWOOD, P., 1995, The Judiciary and the State of the Law, pp. 103-120. HALLIN, D., and P. MANZINI. 2004, The Mediterranean or polarized pluralist model, in Comparing Media Systems. Three Models of Media and Politics. Cambridge University Press, pp. 89-142. HEYWOOD, P., 1995, The Electoral System`, in The Government and Politics of Spain, pp 165-173. GUNTHER, Richard, José Ramón MONTERO and Joan BOTELLA, 2004, Democracy in Modern Spain. New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 237-279. GUNTHER, Richard, and José Ramón MONTERO, 2009, The Policits of Spain, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 1-41. MONTERO, José Ramón., Richard P. GUNTHER and Mariano TORCAL, 2006, "Democracy in Spain: Legitimacy, Discontent, and Disaffection," Studies in Comparative International Development, 32 (3): 124-60. CLOSA, C. And P. HEYWOOD, 2004, `Institutional adaptation: reshaping political structures`, in Spain and the European Union. London: Palgrave, pp. 59-82. LIJPHART, Arend, 1999, Patterns of Democracy. Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-Six Countries. New Haven: Yale University Press, pp. 9-47 and pp. 275-300. Recommended bibliography: Chislett, William, 2016, A New Course for Spain: Beyond the Crisis, Real Instituto Elcano: http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/wcm/connect/4042b2804bb4115fa0a5ba6e9c 1af357/Chislett-New-course-for-Spain-beyondcrisis.pdf?MOD=AJPERES&CACHEID=4042b2804bb4115fa0a5ba6e9c1af357 PRESTON, Paul, 1987, The Triumph of Democracy in Spain, pp. 1-52. NORTH, D., 1990, An Introduction to Institutions and Institutional Change`, in Institutions and Institutional Change and Economic Performance, pp. 3-10. PRZEWORSKI, A., Michael ALVAREZ, José Antonio CHEIBUB and Fernando LIMONGI, 1996, "What Makes Democracies Endure?" Journal of Democracy, 7 (1): 39-55. Encarnación, Omar, 2001, Civil Society and the Consolidation of Democracy in Spain, Political Science Quarterly, 116: 53-79. Eaton, Ken, Parliamentarism versus Presidentialism`, Comparative Politics 32 : 355-376. Bache, I and R. Jones, 2000, Has EU Regional Policy Empowered the Regions? A Study of Spain and the UK. Regional and Federal Studies 10 (3): 1-20. PRESTON, Paul., 1987, The Triumph of Democracy in Spain, pp. 53-121. MARAVALL, José María and Julián SANTAMARIA, 1986, "Political Change in Spain and the Prospects for Democracy." In: O Donnell, Schmitter and Whitehead, Transitions form Authoritarian Rule, pp. 71-108. LINZ, J., 1996, The Virtues of Parliamentarism` in The Global Resurgence of Democracy, pp. 154-161.
HEYWOOD, P., 1995, Central Government, Monarchy, Core Executive and Parliament`, en The Government and Politics of Spain, Macmillan Press, pp. 83-102. LIJPHART, A., 1999, Patterns of democracy: government forms and performance in thirty-six countries, Yale University Press, pp. 185-199. Field, B, 2009, Minority Government and Legislative Politics in a Multilevel State: Spain under Zapatero`, South European Politics and Society 14(1): 417-434. GALLAGHER, M., M. LAVER and P. MAIR. 2006, Party politics and party systems in Europe`, in Representative Government in Modern Europe, pp. 187-227. GALLAGHER, M., M. LAVER and P. MAIR. 2006, Parliaments`, in Representative Government in Modern Europe, pp. 57-82. MÚJICA, A.; SÁNCHEZ-CUENCA, I. 2006, "Consensus and Parliamentary Opposition: The Case of Spain". Government and Opposition 41 (1): 86-108. MARAVALL, J.M., 2003, El Estado de Derecho como arma política, in El Control de los Políticos`, pp. 168-222. STONE-SWEET, A., 2000, Governing with judges: Constitutional politics in Europe, Oxford University Press, pp. 31-60. GUNTHER, R., J.R. MONTERO, and J.I. WERT, 2000, The Media and Politics in Spain: From Dictatorship to Democracy`, in R. Gunther y A. Mughan (eds.), Democracy and the Media: A Comparative Perspective. Cambridge University Press, pp. 28-84. LIJPHART, A. 1990, The Political consequences of electoral laws, American Political Science Review 84 (2): 481-496. CHHIBBER, P., and Mariano TORCAL, 1997,"Elite Strategy, Social Cleavages, and Party Systems in a New Democracy." Comparative Political Studies, 30 (1): 27-54. MONTERO, JR., and Mariano TORCAL, 1990, "Voters and Citizens in a New Democracy. Some Trend Data on Political Attitudes in Spain," International Journal of Public Opinion Research, 2 (2): 116-40. ARREGUI, Javier, 2007, Europeización y Transformación Institucional del Sistema Político Español, in España en Europa, Europa en España (1986-2006). Barcelona: CIDOB, pp. 123-148. COLOMER, JM., 2001, Political Institutions. Democracy and Social Choice. Oxford: Oxford University Press, chapter 1, pp. 1-17. Last revised, February 2018