ABSTRACT
As the factors accounting for the formation of the nationalism of the rich do not fully explain the case-study parties’ electoral performance, this chapter looks at other variables. Starting from the observation that the electoral evolution of these parties and trends in grassroots support for independence do not necessarily coincide, it argues that the case-study parties have been able to attract voters beyond the pool of hard-core separatists. It then looks at four strategies adopted by most of them: gradualism, institutionalisation, issue diversification and instrumentalism. The chapter also discusses the political opportunity structure given to each party at different times in their history and especially emphasises the double-edged role played by legislative and executive devolved institutions.
