Traditional EthnoNationalism

1
Traditional Ethno-Nationalism

• As it emerged historically, nationalism was not
  based on ethnicity, but on cultural affinities.
  Yet, today ethnicity is the most recurrent claim
  (i.e. Tamil and Kurds). And it is an exclusivist
  claim
• A less exclusivist nationalism is based on a
  common culture but not myths of common descent
  (social nationalism i.e. Catalans).

2
Grievances

• Among nationalist movements there are
  Ethno-nationalist groups with a regionalist
  character. Regionalist groups promote the
  autonomy of specific ethnic nations within larger
  nation states.
• Typically they claim that specific regions need
  to be protected from the economic or cultural
  predatory behaviour of nation states. They
  advocate an increase of various types of
  political and economic resources ranging from
  subsidies to depressed areas to the institutional
  protection of linguistic differences.
• Their independence claims range from limited
  autonomy in specific sectors to seeking secession
  and promoting ethnic nationalism and statehood.
  In these claims they are similar to nationalistic
  groups and often it is difficult to differentiate
  them. A successful regionalist secessionist
  movement might become a nationalist party after
  secession.

3
The Literature

• There are several theories to explain
  regionalism. They range from theories on internal
  colonialism, to theories that see it as a
  reaction to the demise of competing identities,
  such as the communist, religious or national
  identities. Also there are theories about loss of
  status, and economic dominance.
• Nationalist-regionalist movements have been
  extensively studied in specific regions. Little
  work is available on their impact outside
  specific regions. Their ability to confront
  ethnic stereotypes, which affect their nationals
  in their relation with other groups, has received
  little attention.

4
Regionalism and Nationalism

• Although different in many respects, regionalist
  and nationalist formations share many traits such
  as the belief that cultural boundaries should be
  coterminous with political boundaries and a
  concern for 'protecting' communities from
  enemies.
• An important issue is whether the 'other' is
  considered a non-resident of the region, such as
  is for the Basques, or whether there are more
  inclusive criteria such as traditional roots in
  the community or the mastery of a language.