This volume investigates the evolution of political elites and the mechanisms of governance in Southern Europe following the transition to democracy. The authors, a team of distinguished political scientists and historians, analyze how the shift from authoritarian regimes to democratic systems influenced the composition, recruitment, and behavior of governing classes in countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. By utilizing comparative historical data, the text argues that the structural legacies of previous regimes continue to shape the contemporary political landscape of the region.

Experts identify this work as a foundational text for understanding the political development of Southern Europe in the late 20th century. Scholars frequently cite the book for its rigorous methodology and its contribution to the study of democratic consolidation.