The objective of this article is to compare the performance of the political systems in Brazil and Spain. In both countries the redemocratization process occurred by way of negotiation with the leaders of the out-going authoritarian regimes. The hypothesis emerging from these two experiences is that this transition format limited the range of possible institutional choices. An analysis of three fundamental dimensions in these choices, the electoral and party systems in each country, the systems of government that were adopted, and the internal organization of the respective Legislative Branches indicates that the history of transition fostered a concentration of decision-making power in the hands of the Administration and the party leadership. Thus, despite important differences in the Constitutional dimension of the respective political systems, Brazil and Spain shaped similar procedural rules that have led to a huge public policy-making advantage for the Administration.
democratic transition; political institutions; Brazil; Spain