This title was first published in 2002. Portugal experienced rapid and dramatic change over the final decades of the twentieth century. After the turbulence that followed the 1974 revolution, the 1980s and 1990s provided a period of unprecedented political stability and economic modernization during which Portugal converged rapidly with the wealthier member states of the European Union. This important new volume offers a timely focus on this recent period. Written for a wide audience by a multidisciplinary team of experts, the book provides an accessible overview and analysis of the key dimensions of recent economic and political change in Portugal and identifies the tensions and policy challenges that rapid change has produced. In so doing the book reveals something of the complexity of contemporary Portugal: an outward looking modern, democratic and European state, but one where the legacy of its recent traditional, colonial and often inward looking past continues to influence and shape its development in the twenty-first century.

About the Author
Stephen Syrett, Principal Lecturer in Economic Geography at Middlesex University, UK. His research interests include processes of socio-economic restructuring, local and regional economic development, and changing structures of local and regional governance within the European context, but particularly within Portugal and the UK. He has published widely on Portugal including Local Development: Restructuring, Locality and Economic Initiative in Portugal (1995: Avebury, Aldershot) and numerous journal articles. He has also published on these themes more generally, most recently (with R.Baldock) (eds) in the book Governing London: Competitiveness and Regeneration for a Global City (2001; Middlesex University Press, London).

Reviews
'This book should be read by anyone, whether expert or general reader, interested in finding out how modern Portugal made the transition from authoritarian dictatorship to liberal democracy. Media, tourism, politics, economics, immigration and international relations are covered in an authoritative and readable manner and the downsides as well as the upsides of the Portuguese economic miracle are fully explored.' Malyn Newitt, King's College London, UK 'The recurrence of words such as transformation, legacy, innovation, continuity and change, reflect the complex recomposition of contemporary Portugal. The various authors write with authority over these questions approaching them via an analysis of complementary themes. The rigorous and profound manner in which this is done, drawing upon in some cases the advantage of a distanced-closeness which those who have long observed Portugal from abroad can bring, explains why this book contributes in admirable manner to a better understanding of the enigma of a country apparently calm, yet one undergoing profound transformation. Not only is this a book about Portugal. It deals in an innovative manner with the way that continuity and change within a country feed upon themselves in a reciprocal relationship, daily produced via unforeseen re-combinations, to contradict linear visions of modernization and development.' JoAGBPo FerrAGBPo, University of Lisbon, Portugal '...a well balanced, authoritative account...a worthwhile addition to the human geography collection of any college or university library...' Geography 'Stephen Syrett has produced an excellent edited volume, which is very well researched and updated...an indispensable tool or research for any researcher on Portuguese economics, politics or sociology. It will remain an outstanding masterpiece for years to come.' Journal of Southern Europe and the Balkans 'The book as a whole provides a clear and well-balanced picture of contemporary Port



Book Information
ISBN 9781138717275
Author Stephen Syrett
Format Paperback
Page Count 260
Imprint Routledge
Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
Weight(grams) 335g