Urban Communities and Local Political Participation in Spain

In: The annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Band 540, S. 63-76

Abstract

A study of the role of urban communities in the development of citizenship & civil society in Spain before & after institution of a democratic regime. Focus is on: community-based solidarity for the development of urban social movements before the 1979 local democratic elections & the resultant rise of voluntary associations; the formal organizations based on consensus politics, eg, political parties & trade unions, that were formed regionally & nationally during the transitional period to democracy; & the civic associations enabling cultural, educational, & leisure activities that have developed during the last decade. Although local governments remain poorly financed, local politics & identities continue to be a significant part of citizen life; however, community action has weakened in the poorest neighborhoods & more recently in developed neighborhoods. 1 Table. Adapted from the source document.