ABSTRACT
This chapter addresses a conceptual clarification regarding the use of the terms “region” and “regionalism”, as well as the changing relationship between region, nation, and empire in European fascisms discussed. Although fascism has been associated with “palyngenesic” nationalism, little attention is usually paid to what nationalism actually is, how the nation is conceived by fascists themselves, and how they perceive the territorial structure of the nation. Quite often, fascist movements admitted some degree of territorial diversity in their concepts of the nation, and fascist regimes also coexisted with some forms of limited decentralization. As a general trend, the coexistence of multi-layered spheres of identification and territorial ascription was easier where no threat was perceived in regional culture; however, the situation changed when the phantom of “separatism” emerged, as was the case with Spain.
