Basque Country: from Regionalism to Separatism (1975-2011)

The history of the construction of the liberal Spanish state has overturned the traditions and institutions of historical peripheries such as the Basque Country. Among the transformations that accompanied this upheaval was the awakening of regionalist consciousness, shaped over time into a nationalism led by Sabino Arana in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Difficult to integrate into the new Spanish society, Basque nationalism evolved considerably, to the point of adopting a protest and separatist expression, spurred on by Franco's regime and represented by the armed group ETA. Considered to be one of the most intractable challenges in contemporary Spain, Basque protest nationalism has been weakened and channeled, not without ambivalence, by democracy. An end further illustrated by the announcement of a permanent and verifiable ceasefire by its members in October 2011.

Autorentext

Amoin Emma Estelle KOUAKOU, is originally from Côte d'Ivoire. She holds a PhD in Spanish Civilization from the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny (Abidjan). Her research focuses on the Basque people, analyzing the transition from regionalism to separatism and the political dynamism and identity of this people.