Having been fully revised and updated to reflect the considerable changes in Spain over the last decade, José M. Magone gives a fresh insight into the formal and informal workings of this dynamic southern European democracy. Thoroughly examining Spain's historical background, political culture, core political institutions and foreign policy making, each chapter provides a research-based overview of the studied topic which can then be used as the basis for further research by students. Key themes of the book include: recent history of Spain after Franco's death Spain's political culture, institutional framework and political economy foreign policy making; the reaction to the global anti-terrorist coalition and the Madrid bombings policy making process and the system of interest intermediation party system and electoral process; the dynamics of regional/territorial politics and the Basque problem; external relations with the European Union, the Mediterranean and Latin America; and constitutional reform immigration. New chapters to this edition: Interest groups and civil society; Media and Politics. Richly illustrated with maps and biographical details of key actors and presenting large amounts of statistical and quantative data make this book an indispensable source of information for students, academics and the wider public interested in Spanish politics.