This book is the most up-to-date work available in English on the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE). In addition to being Spain's oldest nation-wide political party, the PSOE has dominated the country's political arena for most of the period since democracy was re-established following General Franco's death in 1975.
Charting the history of the party since its foundation in 1879, the book considers the party's role during key historical events ranging from the Second Spanish Republic and Civil War to the transition from dictatorship to democracy and the country's entry into the European Union. More generally, it details Spain's historical, social and economic development and considers the PSOE's claims to have been the political party most responsible for the country's modernisation and Europeanisation. It ends with a consideration of Rodriguez Zapatero's period in office between 2004 and 2011 and seeks to explain the reasons behind the party's defeat at the 2011 general election, explaining why Spain has been so badly hit by the current international economic crisis.
Written by an acknowledged expert on the topic, the book will primarily appeal to an academic audience, but will also be of use to anyone with an interest in contemporary Spain.

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

Paul Kennedy is Lecturer in Spanish and European Studies in the Department of Politics, Languages and International Studies at the University of Bath