Title: Enemy brothers : socialists and communists in France, Italy, and Spain /
Authors: Smith, W. Rand, 1947-
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers,
Year: 2012
Subjects: Socialism France History; Socialism Italy History; Socialism Spain History; Socialism France; Socialism Italy; Socialism Spain
Abstract: Since the 1920s, Socialist and Communist parties in Europe and elsewhere have engaged in episodes of both rivalry and cooperation, with each seeking to dominate the European Left. Enemy Brothers analyzes how this relationship has developed over the past century, focusing on France, Italy, and Spain, where Socialists and Communists have been politically important. Drawing on fieldwork and interviews in all three nations, W. Rand Smith identifies the critical junctures that these parties faced and the strategic choices they made, especially regarding alliance partners. In explaining the parties' diverse alliance strategies, Enemy Brothers stresses the impact of institutional arrangements, party culture, and leadership --
Contents: Figures and tables -- Acknowledgements -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- Enemy brothers and critical junctures -- Cases -- France : impossible victory -- Italy : historically compromised -- Spain : transcending history? -- Extensions -- Organization -- Alliances -- Conclusion -- Appendix I. Socialist and communist components of the left vote in Western Europe, 1945-2010 -- Bibliography.