The Myth of Civil Society Social Capital and Democratic Consolidation in Spain [Hardcover]

Almost irrespective of the geographic setting, the debate about the future of democracy in post-authoritarian societies is increasingly tied to the strength of civil society. A strong civil society is thought to be crucial to the emergence of successful democracies while a weak civil society is deemed the cause of flawed or frozen democracies. Using contrasting evidence from Spain and Brazil, this study challenges these widespread assumptions about contemporary democratization. It argues that it is the performance of political institutions rather than the configuration of civil society that determines the consolidation of democratic regimes.PART I: THE INTELLECTUAL TERRAIN Introduction The Revival of Civil Society PART II: SPAIN:m WEAK CIVIL SOCIETY, STRONG DEMOCRACY Spanish Civil Society in Transition Politics Political Institutions and Democratization in Spain PART III: BRAZIL: STRONG CIVIL SOCIETY, WEAK DEMOCRACY Brazilian Civil Society in Transition Politics Political Institutions and Democratization in Brazil PART IV: COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVES Civil Society Re-considered

The Myth of Civil Society is well worth reading for experts and undergraduates alike. On the one hand, it offers us careful, comparative case studies of Spain and Brazil. On the other, it offers us evidence that both our faith and our massive investments in civil society might be misplaced. Not everyone will agree with the author's arguments but all will benefit from exposure to them. From its title, to its final page, this book makes exceptionally engaging reading. - Nancy Bermeo, Professor of Politics, Princeton University

A thought-provoking examination of the relationship between civil society development and democratization. Through illuminating case studies of Spain and Brazil, Encarnaci?n cuts through the many accumulated myths about civil society and reaches provocative conclusions about the primary importance of efficient and stable political institutions folƒ+