Institutional plurality: a way out of the Basque conflict?

Author: Van Amersfoort Hans   Beck Jan Mansvelt  

Publisher: Routledge Ltd

ISSN: 1469-9451

Source: Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Vol.26, Iss.3, 2000-07, pp. : 449-467

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

The aim of this article is to analyse the possibilities for a peaceful solution to the 'Basque question'. In particular, we will explore whether the concept of institutional plurality might be a suitable framework within which to identify a political solution to one of the most enduring and violent nationalistic conflicts in Western Europe. Institutional plurality is described in a previous article (Van Amersfoort 1995). Basically institutional plurality can be found in two forms in modern democracies, a territorial one and a non-territorial parallel organisation of basic institutions. Switzerland and the Netherlands are the classical examples of states in Western Europe with a high degree of institutional plurality; Switzerland in a territorial form, the Netherlands in a non-territorially defined form. Even a first general analysis of Basque nationalism makes clear that the Basque problem is very complicated. A territorial form of pluralism is (just as complete separatism) hampered by the geographical distribution of the Basque and non-Basque segments of the population and by the involvement of two states. The only chance of finding a solution would appear to be a combination of territorial and non-territorial forms of institutional plurality. However such a solution will not necessarily be acceptable to all parties concerned.