Portugal in the Twenty-First Century: Politics, Society, and Economics

Portugal in the Twenty-First Century: Politics, Society, and Economics, edited by Sebastián Royo, reflects on the legacies of authoritarianism on the democratization process and addresses issues related to Portugal's integration into the European Union, with the perspective offered by its twenty-three years of membership. Portugal in the Twenty-First Century reflects on what has happened in the country and in Europe during the last three decades. The analysis is divided into two sections: political and sociological perspectives, and economic and social perspectives. The contributors identify basic changes in the economy and society of Portugal that occurred as a result of the democratization and European integration processes. They also assess the impact that these changes have had on the quality of Portuguese democracy, and on the country's economic development. Royo's collection reflects on how far Portugal has come since the Carnation Revolution in 1974 in order to better understand where it is headed now, at the dawn of the twenty-first century. Portugal in the Twenty-First Century: Politics, Society, and Economics, edited by Sebastián Royo, provides an original series of analyses of the development of Portuguese politics, sociology, and economics since the transition to democracy and the accession to the European Union. Drawing on the research by established scholars, Royo offers an up-to-date assessment of Portuguese political and economic issues. It is essential reading for those interested in understanding contemporary Portugal.

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1 List of Figures Chapter 2 List of Tables Chapter 3 Acknowledgments Chapter 4 Chapter One, Introduction: Crises e Oportunidades em Tempos de Mudança [Crisis and Opportunities in Transition Times] Chapter 5 Chapter Two: The Political Institutions of Portuguese Democracy Chapter 6 Chapter Three: Portugal's Semi-Presidentialism (Re)Considered: An Assessment of the President's Role in the Policy Process, 1976–2006 Chapter 7 Chapter Four: The Adjustment of Portuguese Political Parties to the Challenges of Multilevel Governance: A Comparative Analysis of Political Affiliation in the European Parliament Chapter 8 Chapter Five: Incomplete Modernity or Typically Modern? Portuguese National Identity in an Era of Rapid Transition Chapter 9 Chapter Six: Portugal: An Incomplete Europeanization Chapter 10 Chapter Seven: The Portuguese Migratory Experience: A New Migratory Cycle? Chapter 11 Chapter Eight: Portugal and Spain in the EU: The Paradox of Economic Divergence (2000–2007) Chapter 12 Chapter Nine: Consolidating Partnerships: History and Geopolitics in Portugal's Twenty-First Century Foreign Policy Chapter 13 Conclusion: The Portuguese Case in Comparative Perspective Chapter 14 About the Contributors Chapter 15 Index

About the Author :
Sebastián Royo is associate dean of the college of arts and sciences and associate professor of government at Suffolk University in Boston.

Review :
"This book illustrates a new generation of Portuguese social scientists that has done much to renew and reinvigorate the status of political sciences in Portugal and strengthened the field both in the public arena and in academic circles. A welcome addition to the field of Iberian studies, engaging and accessible to readers in Portugal and abroad." —Pedro Nuno Teixeira, University of Porto “It is about time that contemporary Portuguese politics, society, and economy received such a comprehensive treatment. This book not only demonstrates the high level of competence of the scholars—native and foreign—working on this long neglected country, but it also succeeds in placing Portugal in a broader matrix of theoretical issues: globalization, European integration, democratization, and modernization. No one interested specifically in comparing the recent experiences of Southern Europe or even more generically in exploring these broader issues should pass it by. Os meus parabens! is the best expression I can think to recognize the quality of its authors’ collective effort.”—Philippe C. Schmitter, European University Institute “Through well-grounded historical comparative research, this book offers new and refreshing ideas on issues like democratization, Europeanization, institutions, and the political economy. It will be of major interest to the academic community and the general public.”—Tiago Fernandes, Universidade Nova de Lisboa “The contributions to Royo’s volume on Portugal are uniformly excellent. They present a comprehensive and well-supported assessment of the development of Portuguese politics and society in the three and a half decades of democracy since the Carnation Revolution of 1974. Essential reading for anyone interested in the politics and political economy of Southern Europe.”—John D. Stephens, University of North Carolina