Basques, catalans, primordialism and violence

Abstract

This essay addresses the issue of violence in nationalist movements through a comparative study of the Basque region and Catalonia within the Spanish state. A description of the history of nationalism in both regions is followed by a theroretical section which pinpoints variables that contribute to violence in the Basque case. Whereas social structures and the history of violence are studied, the main thesis here is that the higher level of inter-intelligibility between Catalan and Castilian has allowed for a non-violent channelling of nationalistic tensions, notably in that it creates different patterns of assimilation of the in-migrants. Also, the existence of an autonomous terrorist organization is held to be responsible for violence. Finally, the need for the Basque nationalists to operate structural changes in their definition of nationality is presented