El reformismo centrista y la transición democrática: retos y respuestas.

Abstract

This article explores the role of the reformist elite during the twilight years of the Franco regime and Spain’s subsequent transition from authoritarianism to democracy. It seeks to explain the process whereby the more forward-looking elements of the Francoist regime began to plan for a democratic future after the dictator’s demise, and later analyzes the impact of their strategy on the transition process itself. The article concludes that their ideas and leadership largely account for the inclusive, negotiated nature of the transition, though they were less successful when it came to creating the political parties necessary to play a constructive role in the new political system.