Consenso y desacuerdo en la democracia española actual

Abstract

This paper seeks, firstly, to define the concepts of “consensus” and “disagreement” in order to apply them, in what follows, to the analysis of the path taken by democracy in Spain since the transition that began after the death of General Franco. Although our main points of reference are June 1977 (first general elections) and October 1982 (Socialist election victory with an absolute majority), we also examine political events during the first two terms of government with a Socialist majority. The notion of consensus implies a procedure to reach agreement, and as a procedural instrument it has a short-term character, since it is dependent on dynamic social and political conditions, which make it suitable for an initial process of setting a framework in order to establish ground rules accepted by the vast majority. On the other hand, disagreement implies disaccord among parliamentary groups and political parties in the democratic system, and is expressed through the contrast of political programmes and the control of the government by the opposition. This is the ideal milieu for negotiation as a means of reaching agreements on specific issues which are deemed necessary for the correct functioning of the system. Negotiation, therefore, does not imply a return to a general consensus, such as the one that led to the passing of the constitution, but refers only to specific agreements on matters of great political importance.