States and nations in Europe - Terms nations, state and country are often used as synonyms - Important distinction

between state and nation - States and nations not always coincide neatly as maps suggest - Many states in W. Europe have more than one ethnic/national group within their boundaries - Many national groups live in more than one state The conventional map of Europe - Map looks clear and neat, with dividing boundaries etc. - But if divided according to nations no such clear lines on the map Ethnic map of Europe - Nations that do not have their own states - E.g. Brittany in France? States seek to promote loyalty to state and sense of unified national identity (e.g. education systems) e.g. Fr. Diminish Briton identity States actively educate people as to understanding of what kind of people we are (e.g. broadcasting) BUT not wholly successful: Minority nations Nations w/o states Stateless nations Ethno-regionalism Challenge for many states: maintain unity of state, while keeping minority nations satisfied Maybe diminish minority sense of nationhood; but if it persists, might have to break up the state

Minority nations: exit, voice or loyalty? Minority nations: options 1. Loyalty - To existing State - Maintain sense of cultural distinctiveness - But no political manifestation of this 2. Voice - Seek representation for particular interests within state (partial autonomy and/or specific representation in central govt) - But do not seek to leave the state 3. Exit Leave the existing state Become an independent and separate state of your own Seek full political independence

Catalonia and Spain - Spain has a very long history - Often one of Europes greatest powers - BUT: failure of nation-building to create a wholly unified sense of Spanishness - Strong and distinct identities persisted: The Basque Country Galicia Catalonia - These three regions have distinct languages - At various points in time, these regions have had political autonomy - A recurring theme of two forces: unified Spain, unified single language, unified Spanishness vs. those seeking recognition/autonomy for their distinctive cultures and languages 20th century Spain - Long history of conflicts between those seeking wholly unified Spain, and those supporting autonomy for minority nations - Republican constitution in 1930s granted substantial autonomy and rights to Catalonia, Basque Country and Galicia - 1936-39: Spanish Civil War, victory for anti-Republic forces of General Franco - Franco: Supported: Catholicism, central govt, unified Spanish identity Opposed: Communism, separatism Franco ruled as dictator (1939-75) - No political autonomy for minority nations at all - Made public use of Catalan, Basque and Galician languages illegal Transition to democracy, post-Franco - 1970s Constitution highly ambiguous - Sought compromise between: Ambitions of minority nations like Catalonia Demands from Spanish military for national unity Constitution combines two different conceptions of Spain: - Indivisible Spanish nation-state - Spain as ensemble of historic nations and regions - Contradictory

Into the 21st century - Growing demands for more autonomy in Catalonia BUT - Increasing resistance from the central Spanish govt (e.g. 2006 Statute of Autonomy) - Constitutionality of the 2006 Statute referred to Spanish Supreme Court, who said this was UNCONSTITUTIONAL and could not enter into effect - This, and economic crisis, prompted growing calls for full independence for Catalonia (subsidizing the rest of Spain because Catalonia was one of the richest regions in Spain) - 2012: elections to Catalan parliament saw clear majority for pro-independence parties; big protests for independence BUT - Spanish constitution, and govt, do not recognise right of Catalonia to leave Spain, or even to hold referendum on issue - Fundamentally illegitimate Scotland and the UK - Long history of Scotland as independent country; frequent conflicts with England - Scotland joined with England as Great Britain in 1707; but Union allowed Scots to keep different legal system, different established church, distinct education system - Scotland part of the political union, something like one country two systems since it maintained its distinctiveness - Scotland was full participant in Br. Empire - Little support for independence until latter part of 20th century; strong support for Unionism in Scotland - Support for Scottish National Party (SNP) began to grow in late-1960s; boosted by discovery of oil in 1970s - But as colonialism declined - UK govt developed policy of devolution partial autonomy to limit support for SNP policy o full independence - Devolution not implemented in 1970s; but was introduced in 1990s creation of Scottish Parliament, to run much of internal policy in Scotland (health, education etc.) - UK govt long recognised potential right of Scotland to leave Union if it wishes - SNP victory in elections to Scottish Parliament in 2011; promise to hold referendum on independence - Agreement in 2012 between UK govt and Scottish govt on details referendum - Date: 18th September 2014 - Mostly reflects UK issues with Ireland difficulty to ruling over it. Nobody wants this to happen to Scotland as well very different from Catalonia in Spain

The European Dimension - EU created by states - Europe of the Regions (1980s ) European Regional Aid (some to cross-border regions) Committee of the Regions; Regional representation Single market and economic viability of independence - Independence in Europe: would independent Catalonia or Scotland become EU member-states? Lack of detail in EU treaties Political realities Conclusion and Questions