ABSTRACT
This chapter examines different theories about the causes of regionalism and the mobilization of regional identities. The discussion starts with cultural differences between the region and the rest of the state as a key driver of regionalism, an important factor in the literature on minority nationalism. Arguing that cultural differences are more useful in explaining variations in regionalism across space than across time, the chapter goes on to discuss potential effects of some of the major processes of change in Western European regions during the second half of the twentieth century. Two of the most important such processes are those of globalization and European integration, and the literature on the effect of each on regionalism is assessed. The impact of these two variables has been the main focus of regionalism scholars in recent years. This is understandable, as both of these developments are central to understanding processes of social and political change in Western Europe in this period, and also have a profound effect on centre-periphery relations. These two independent variables have been well developed and there are numerous empirical studies covering their various effects on the construction and development of regionalism. However, the concentration on these two phenomena has led to other factors being overlooked. This is unfortunate, as neither globalization nor European integration can provide a complete explanation of the development of regionalism. Both are macro-level developments that have had an effect across all of Western Europe, and hence are ill-equipped to explain variation across regions. In order to arrive at a fuller understanding of the causes of regionalism, it is necessary to expand one’s focus and consider other explanatory variables as well. The chapter therefore goes on to discuss two factors that vary both across regions and across time: regional party system diversity and regional economic development. Each of these may have an independent effect on levels of regionalism in a region through affecting incentive structures and the perception of the region among its inhabitants. When one inquires into the causes of regionalism, it is important to keep in mind the motivations of the actors involved. Researchers need to ask why the people living in a certain region want more political autonomy for their region. Although elites may consider political power a goal in its own right, this aim – by itself – is unlikely to convince many ordinary people of the merits of a
regionalist agenda. Power is an instrument, and people want power because they want to use it for some purpose. It is not self-evident in every case what this purpose might be, nor are a region’s interests necessarily best served by regional autonomy. We must therefore consider the end goals of a regionalist movement. As is mentioned in the previous chapter, these can include promoting the economic development of a region and preserving a cultural and/or national identity that has become threatened by cultural standardization (Rokkan and Urwin 1982: 4). While both of these rationales are usually found to some extent in every regionalist movement, there is a great deal of variation with regard to how much emphasis is put on each.
