Suchergebnisse

Studies the impact of various organizational models on party performance through a case study. The demise of the Union de Centro Democratico (UCD) was caused by the party's lack of institutionalization. One key component was the lack of commitment of the party's top-ranking leaders in Madrid, who interacted with the party in purely utilitarian terms to achieve election, but failed to tie values into the party institution or to develop loyalty toward the party. Lack of agreement was also evident regarding the model of the party, its electoral strategies, & its norms of internal governance. Prime Minister Adolfo Suarez wanted to develop a classic catch-all party with strong presidential leadership; while the party's 'barons' favored development along factional lines with collective decision-making processes. Different expectations led to infighting & defections by prominent leaders. The lack of commitment to the party at the abstract level, lack of behavioral norms, & intra-party decision-making processes destroyed the party & even threatened the survival of the new democratic regime. An electorate disillusioned with the UCD's destructive conflicts gave it the worst electoral defeat in West European history. 2 Tables, 1 Figure. L. A. Hoffman

An examination of the presidentialization of Spain's political system focuses on the constitutional context of post-Franco Spanish democracy & the dynamics of political parties & electoral competition. The relative significance of varying levels of presidentialization that have occurred at different times is assessed in relation to its impact on prime ministerial power/autonomy. Ways in which the transition to the present parliamentary monarchy was influenced by historical legacies is examined, along with how a distinct break with the Franco regime was avoided; the consequences of achieving democracy through consensus; & negotiation among major political forces. Other issues discussed include the nature of Spain's party organization; factors that have contributed to prime ministers' domination of the executive; & elements of electoral campaigning that have enhanced presidentialization. It is concluded that the tendency towards presidentialization in the Spanish political system is partially balanced by countervailing factors such as the nature of party organization. Spain's young democracy is said to be best described as "parliamentarism with some features of presidentialism.". 1 Table, 45 References. J. Lindroth