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 book's main focus is on the period since General Franco's death in 1975. It charts Spain's 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.

Reviews

'Paul Kennedy is one of the most meticulous English-language scholars working on
contemporary Spanish politics in general and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE)
in particular. It is therefore no surprise that this book provides a carefully crafted, insightful
and comprehensive analysis of the modern PSOE..Overall, The Spanish Socialist Party and the Modernisation of Spain is a very valuable addition to the English-language literature on contemporary Spanish politics. The book is recommended reading for anyone interested in understanding the impact that this party has had in the social, economic and political fabric of democratic Spain.'
Ramón Pacheco, King's College London, Bulletin of Spanish Studies, University of Glasgow Volume XCIII, No. 1 (January 2016)

Introduction and Chapter Plan
1. The PSOE and social democracy
2. The character of Spanish socialism: an historical overview 1879-1982
3. The PSOE and the European community: from isolation to integration
4. Economic policy under the PSOE 1982-1996
5. Foreign and Security Policy under the PSOE government (1982-1996): the irresistible force of European imperatives?
6. The PSOE and the question of regional autonomy
7. The PSOE in opposition 1996-2004
8. Zapatismo: progressive ideology in a post-social democratic world?
9. Foreign and Security Policy under Zapatero
10. Nemesis. Economic policy under the PSOE and the road to defeat
11. Conclusion
Appendix: Party organisation, membership and general election results 2000-2011
Bibliography
Index