In this article, we explore regional nationalism, the features, the global examples, the rise of regional nationalism, the consequences, and political and social implications.
Definition
Regional nationalism refers to a political ideology focused on increasing the power, influence, and self-determination of a distinct subnational region, similar to how nationalism applies to a nation-state. It arises from a strong sense of shared regional identity, culture, language, and loyalty, often seeking greater autonomy or even independence from a larger state. This can manifest in various forms, from demands for territorial autonomy and devolution of power to more moderate campaigns for regional development and decentralized governance.
Characteristics of Regional Nationalism:
Focus on a Subnational Region: Unlike traditional nationalism, which targets the nation-state, regional nationalism centers on a smaller, distinct geographical area within a larger country.
Collective Regional Identity: It is built on a shared sense of community, history, culture, and loyalty within that specific region, often sharing common political attitudes or social and cultural traits.
Demands for Autonomy or Self-Determination: The goal is to increase the region’s political power and control, ranging from limited decentralization to full sovereignty or secession.
Delineation by Various Factors: Regions are defined by factors like administrative divisions, language, religion, culture, or even common security concerns.
Relationship to National Nationalism: Regional nationalism can sometimes compete with or challenge the idea of a unified national identity, particularly in multinational or multiethnic states.
Devolution: States may grant political autonomy and institutions to specific regions as a way to manage regional nationalist movements, such as in the United Kingdom with devolution to Scotland and Wales.
Federalism: Some countries adopt federal structures, with asymmetrical arrangements, to formally recognize and incorporate the distinct claims of certain regions, like the arguments for greater asymmetrical federalism in Canada to acknowledge Quebec’s unique status.
Anti-Colonial Movements: In colonial contexts, anti-colonial nationalist movements sometimes focused on smaller regional units rather than the entire colonial state, leading to the rise of regional nationalisms within broader independence movements.
The Global Examples of Regional Nationalism:
Quebec (Canada): A French-speaking region with a distinct cultural identity that has pursued sovereignty for decades.
Scotland, Wales, and Catalonia (United Kingdom and Spain): These regions within their respective countries have strong nationalist movements seeking more political autonomy or even full independence.
Flanders (Belgium): A Dutch-speaking region in Belgium that has experienced a surge in nationalist sentiment.
Cyprus: A nationalist conflict has divided the island.
Examples from post-Soviet and decolonized states:
Post-Soviet Europe: Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, many regions experienced a rise in nationalism, leading to demands for new independent states.
Decolonization in the developing world: The departure of colonial powers often led to regional nationalist movements, such as in Nigeria, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, which sometimes escalated into conflict and secessionist attempts.
Cultural Identity: Regional nationalism often stems from a distinct language, culture, and historical narrative that sets the region apart from the larger nation-state.
Political Aspirations: There is often a desire for greater self-governance, autonomy, or outright independence to control their own destiny and resources.
Historical Context: The legacy of colonialism, the fall of empires, and the redrawing of political borders can fuel regional nationalist sentiments.
The Rise of Regional Nationalism:
Political Centralization and Marginalization
Central states historically pursued policies to create a single national identity through centralized governance, education, and language. This often led to the denial of cultural identity and political discrimination against peripheral groups. The feeling of being governed by a distant, indifferent, or oppressive “other” in the political center is a primary catalyst.
- Economic Disparity and Grievance
Economic factors are powerful mobilizers, playing out in two key ways
The Rich Region Grievance: Wealthier regions (like Catalonia in Spain or Flanders in Belgium) often feel they are unfairly subsidizing poorer parts of the state and demand fiscal autonomy to keep their revenue.
The Poor Region Grievance: Poorer, often resource-dependent regions may accuse the center of economic exploitation or neglect, leading to movements based on a sense of relative deprivation.
- The Impact of Globalization
Paradoxically, increasing global interdependence has often strengthened regional identity:
Weakening the State: As globalization makes the nation-state appear less capable of controlling international economic forces, regional groups argue they can better represent their unique local interests on the global stage
Transnational Connection: Modern communication technologies allow regional movements to bypass the state’s national media, connect with a global diaspora, and gain international attention and legitimacy.
- Geopolitical Crises
The collapse of multi-national empires and states has historically triggered a surge in regional nationalism, most notably the disintegration of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia in the 1990s, which led directly to the formation of numerous new states along regional and ethnic lines.
The Consequences of Regional Nationalism:
Positive Consequences
Cultural Preservation and Local Development: Regional nationalism can foster a strong sense of local identity, leading to the protection of unique cultural manifestations and tailored development that addresses specific regional needs, which might have been overlooked by a centralized national government.
Increased Autonomy and Rights: It can empower regions and stateless nations to gain greater control over their own affairs, promoting self-government and securing more equitable distribution of resources and power.
Negative Consequences
Threat to National Unity: Strong regional sentiment can create divisions within a society, weakening a broader national identity and loyalty.
Conflict and Instability: The pursuit of regional autonomy or independence can escalate tensions within a nation-state, potentially leading to internal conflicts or even secessionist movements.
Bias and Discrimination: Identity-based politics fueled by regional nationalism can lead to biased treatment and discrimination against those perceived as outsiders or not part of the core regional identity.
Focus on Domestic Issues: A surge in regional nationalism might cause politicians to focus primarily on domestic concerns, potentially hindering regional or international cooperation.
Competition for Resources: Competition for political power and resources within a federal system, often driven by perceptions of marginalization, can intensify regional nationalist sentiments and contribute to insecurity.
Political and Social Implications of Regional Nationalism:
Political Implications
Increased Demands for Autonomy and Secession: Regional nationalism often manifests as calls for greater self-governance, autonomy, or even outright independence for the region, creating a challenge to the territorial integrity of the existing state.
Political Fragmentation: The rise of strong regional identities can weaken the central state and fragment the political landscape, as seen in the challenges faced by multinational empires like the Ottoman and Habsburg empires.
Conflict and Insecurity: Perceived political inequity, economic marginalization, or discrimination against a region can fuel regional nationalism, leading to increased regional insecurity and conflict.
Decentralization and Devolution: States may respond to regional nationalist movements by devolving political power and granting autonomy to regions to manage social and ethnic diversities, as seen in the United Kingdom or Belgium.
Challenge to National Identity: Regional nationalism can undermine the formation of a single national identity by emphasizing regional distinctiveness over a shared national destiny, leading to a less cohesive political unit.
Social Implications
Reinforced Group Identity: Regional nationalism strengthens the sense of shared identity, history, and solidarity within the region, which can be a positive force for collective mobilization and self-preservation.
Increased Intolerance and Alienation: The strong identification with one’s region can lead to an antagonistic stance towards other regions or the central state, fostering intolerance and an “us vs. them” mentality.
Social Division: By emphasizing regional solidarity, nationalism can downplay the internal class or gender divisions within the region and create a sense of division with other regions, affecting overall social cohesion.
Cultural Preservation vs. Assimilation: Regional nationalism can be a defensive reaction against the homogenizing and centralizing tendencies of a state, aiming to protect distinct cultural, linguistic, or ethnic identities from being absorbed into a universalizing culture.
Exacerbation of Socioeconomic Issues: While often rooted in distinct cultural identities, regional nationalism can also serve as a focal point for mobilizing against perceived economic exploitation or inequality, impacting the social and economic dynamics of the region and the broader nation.
Conclusion
Regional nationalism is fundamentally a message from a distinct subnational group to the central state, demanding identity, recognition, and local empowerment. It is not merely a political disruption but a profound expression of the need for self-determination in an increasingly interconnected and complex world