Forces of Devolution

1
Forces of Devolution

• The Basque Separatist Movement

2
Devolutionary Geographies

• Devolution is a process that involves the
  weakening of what was formerly a politically
  cohesive state
  
• According to Vernon Bogdanor, devolution consists
  of 3 processes
  
• 1. The transfer of power to a subordinate elected
  body
  
• 2. The transfer of power on a geographical basis
• 3. The transfer of functions at present exercised
  by Parliament
  
• Devolution does not necessarily entail the
  dismemberment of the former state
  
• Devolved power to regional governments
• Federated State (politically viable states within
  a central system, e.g. US and Russia, and
  increasingly the EU)
  
• Formation of new separate nation-states (e.g.
  USSR into Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, former
  Yugoslavia into Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia,
  Montenegro etc., etc.).

3
Devolutionary Geographies

• Devolution is a product of regionalism
• Reflects regional cultural differences
• Desire for political representation and economic
  control
  
• Scalingdown of the nation-state
• Devolution is occurring across Europe
• Combined process of scaling-up and down of
  nationalism
  
• Along with rise of the EU, prominent in the
  changing geography of Europe
  
• Unlike EU Supranationalism, not usually seen as a
  positive force
  

4
Can the United Kingdom survive devolution,
European integration, reform of the Lords,
slimming of the monarchy and proportional
representation? Will the new House of Lords be
anything more than a rubber stamp full of friends
of the Prime Minister? Will Scotland now shatter
the Union by demanding full independence?
5
Devolution Across Europe

• UK Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
• France Brittany
• Italy Padania (Liga Nord)
• Spain Galicia, Catalonia, and the Basque Region
• http//news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2519735.stm

6
The Basque Culture Region

• Genetic (DNA) connections to the land that extend
  back 10,000 years
  
• Bonds of language and pastoral lifestyle
• Euskara (pre-dates Indo-European languages)
• Sheep farming and fishing
• Regions carrying capacity led to emigration and
  out-migration
  
• Americas, e.g. Utah in US
• Economic diversification intensified land use
• Rich economy

7
The Basque Separatist Movement

• After the break-up of the Franco dictatorship in
  1975, Spain decentralized political power
  
• Basques (and Catalans) demanded greater autonomy
  and extent
  
• Multiple parties make-up the Basque parliament
• Some regional separatists (nationalists)
• Extremists Militant ETA and Batasuna Party
  (political wing of ETA)
  
• Others are national parties (non-nationalists)

8
EA Euskal Alkartasuna, or Basque left
PNV Partido Nacionalista Vasco, or Basque
Nationalist Party HB/EH Herri Batasuna, or Popul
ar Unity Euskal Herritarrok,
or Basque Citizens PP Partido Popular, or Popul
ar Party PSOE Partido Socialista Obrero Espanol,
or National Socialist Party
From CNN.com